Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the state government will intensify the pushback of identified foreigners, citing the Supreme Court’s observation and the provisions of the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Order.

Addressing the media, Sarma said the Supreme Court, while hearing the matter related to Clause 6A of the Citizenship Act, observed that the Assam government is not legally required to approach the judiciary each time to identify and expel foreigners. He added that under the Immigrants Expulsion Order, which remains in force, district commissioners have the authority to issue expulsion orders.

Sarma said the legal provision had not been brought to the state’s attention earlier. “Our lawyers hadn’t informed us, and we were unaware of this. But in the past few days, the entire matter has come to light,” he stated.

The Chief Minister said the identification process, which had slowed due to NRC-related matters, will now be accelerated. He also said that in cases where individuals are identified as foreigners but not sent to tribunals, the government will enforce repeated pushbacks.

He confirmed that several pushbacks have already been carried out in cases not pending in court and that preparations for further action are underway.