Guwahati, Dec 22: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced that 19 illegal immigrants were apprehended in the state and repatriated to Bangladesh. The individuals were detained from various locations in Nagaon and Karbi Anglong districts.

In a post on X, Sarma said the operation was carried out by Assam Police and the Border Security Force (BSF), emphasizing the state government’s commitment to an infiltration-free Assam. He stated, “Message is crystal clear: Illegal stay in Assam? Endgame guaranteed.”

The Chief Minister did not specify the border point used for repatriation. According to Sarma, the state government regularly pushes back 35-40 individuals each week.

In October, the Assam cabinet approved a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, to guide district officials and senior police officers in expelling illegal immigrants and managing unchecked cross-border influx.

The BSF has intensified surveillance along Assam’s 1,885-km border with Bangladesh following unrest in the neighboring country last year. Assam Police continue to maintain high alert to prevent unauthorized entries and repatriate those without valid citizenship documents.