India nabs, sends back 18 foreigners trying to cross border in Assam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that 18 foreign nationals have been detained for unlawfully entering India and subsequently deported. The Chief Minister described the action as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to protect its borders and reinforce security surveillance in the sensitive northeastern region.

Illegal entrants deported

Speaking through a post on X late Wednesday, Sarma confirmed that the individuals had been apprehended by Assam authorities and returned to their country of origin. However, he refrained from disclosing specific details about their nationality or background. “They dream of starving India and taking over Assam and the North East. Meanwhile, we are busy feeding development and sending 18 illegals on an all-expense-paid exit tour back to their hell hole,” the Chief Minister wrote, highlighting Assam’s strict stance on border protection.

He further added, “Too bad for them, Assam isn’t hungry, just vigilant and decisive,” drawing attention to the government’s commitment to maintaining vigilance against infiltration attempts.

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Strategic location and border security

Assam shares a 267.5 kilometre-long border with Bangladesh through four key districts — Sribhumi, Cachar, Dhubri and South Salmara Mankachar. These regions have remained crucial to cross-border vigilance, especially after political instability in Bangladesh last year. The state is also home to an Integrated Check Post, or ICP, at Sutarkandi in Sribhumi, which serves as a formal immigration and trade point between India and Bangladesh.

Northeast India has two other ICPs along the Bangladesh frontier, located at Dawki in Meghalaya and Akhaura in Tripura, along with another ICP at Darranga on the India Bhutan border.

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Security tightened along border

Assam Police, in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), has tightened security measures across border districts to curb any attempts of unauthorised crossing. Officials reiterated that all efforts are being made to prevent non-Indians from entering Indian territory from Bangladesh.

Despite these restrictions, the Chief Minister clarified that Indian nationals carrying valid passports will continue to be permitted to return home through designated entry points, even amid unrest or humanitarian crises in Bangladesh.

Sarma emphasised that his government’s priority remains national security and sustained development, promising that Assam will continue to act decisively against illegal infiltration.