Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the state will resume its “pushback” policy to identify and deport undocumented immigrants. The announcement follows a recent Supreme Court decision affirming the Centre’s authority to expel illegal entrants.
Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma said, “We have been waiting for judicial clarity. The Supreme Court has now made it clear that deportation of illegal immigrants can proceed under central and state authority. We will intensify our efforts accordingly.”
Supreme Court clarifies Centre’s deportation authority
The pushback policy had been paused due to legal uncertainty over deportation mechanisms. A recent Supreme Court order, however, affirmed that both foreigners’ tribunals and executive orders under the Foreigners Act can be used to expel undocumented immigrants from India.
The ruling is being seen as a green light for Assam to step up border surveillance and deportation drives.
Sarma said the decision restores constitutional clarity. “Now that the legal basis is reaffirmed, we will act without delay,” he said.
Crackdown expected in border and urban zones
Sources in the Assam Home Department confirmed that a fresh round of verification drives will begin soon, especially in border districts like Dhubri, Karimganj, and Cachar. Urban pockets with high migrant populations will also be monitored.
The process will include house-to-house verifications, NRC database checks, and coordination with BSF patrol units. Assam Police and the State Intelligence Department are already on high alert.
“We will identify those who entered India without documents post-1971,” said a senior official. “They will be detained, and proceedings will be initiated.”
Pushback vs Deportation: A closer look
The pushback policy involves identifying undocumented immigrants and immediately sending them back across the border, especially if they were apprehended close to entry points. This differs from full-scale deportation, which involves detention, legal trials, and sometimes bilateral diplomatic procedures.
Assam had used the pushback model actively in the past, especially along the India-Bangladesh border, before legal and humanitarian concerns slowed the process.
Sarma clarified that human rights norms will be followed. “We are not targeting any community. We are only following the law to preserve the state’s demographic and cultural identity,” he said.
Political and public response
The decision has received mixed reactions. While BJP and allied groups welcomed it as a bold step, opposition parties questioned the move, citing humanitarian implications and previous errors in identification processes.
The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) called for a review mechanism to prevent wrongful expulsion of genuine Indian citizens. Party spokesperson Aminul Islam said, “The NRC had many mistakes. Any pushback process must include an appeals system.”
Civil rights groups like Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha have called for transparency. “The NRC errors must not be repeated. Innocent people cannot suffer in the name of policy,” a statement said.
NRC update and detention centres
Chief Minister Sarma also hinted at a possible update of the NRC database, which was finalized in 2019 but excluded over 19 lakh applicants. He said that “future discussions with the Centre” would decide whether Assam would undertake a revision.
He added that detention centres built in Goalpara and other districts are ready to house identified foreigners until their deportation process is complete.
Regional impact and next steps
The revival of the pushback policy is expected to influence immigration politics in other border states like West Bengal and Tripura, where similar issues exist.
Assam’s decision could also spark discussions at the national level, especially around the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and its implementation.
Call to Action
Authorities have urged residents to cooperate during verification drives. Citizens can report illegal entries or suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through government helplines.