Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday claimed that the recent increase in illegal immigration from Bangladesh is mainly by the “majority community” from the neighbouring country, not the Hindu minorities there.
Speaking to journalists, Sarma said that most of the people entering India are workers from Bangladesh’s textile industry, which has been struggling due to the ongoing crisis in the country. “These workers, who are in the majority in Bangladesh but a minority in our country, are trying to cross the border,” Sarma said. He added that these workers are heading to Tamil Nadu, hoping to find jobs in the state’s textile industry.
The chief minister further stated that textile industry owners in Tamil Nadu are incentivizing the influx by offering cheap labour. “The owners of these industries are encouraging them to come,” he said.
Sarma also noted that despite facing hardships, Hindu minorities in Bangladesh have not been trying to come to India in recent months. “They have behaved in a very mature manner, and no Bangladeshi Hindus have come to Assam during the last five months,” he added, emphasizing their patriotism.
Regarding the growing influx, Sarma said that the Indian government is concerned about the situation. “The Centre is very concerned about it,” he stated. He also expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to create a better atmosphere for Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
Sarma mentioned that there has been a rise in illegal border crossings since the unrest in Bangladesh, with 20 to 30 people attempting to enter Assam and Tripura daily. However, he said that the Assam government is not arresting the infiltrators but pushing them back to Bangladesh.
“The situation is alarming, and this matter was discussed at the recent North East Council meeting in Agartala,” Sarma said, adding that he had also discussed the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his counterparts in other northeastern states and West Bengal.
Sarma spoke about a crackdown on “terror networks” in the region. “We are working overtime in coordination with NIA and the Intelligence Bureau, which has led to the arrest of 23 people and the seizure of large quantities of arms and ammunition in Assam and other states,” he said. “We have to strike at the roots of the terror outfits.”
