Guwahati, Assam – Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced that all districts in the state have been instructed to identify suspected illegal immigrants and ensure their immediate deportation to their country of origin, reaffirming the government’s firm stance on tackling illegal immigration.

Addressing the media and posting on social media platform X, Sarma said that district commissioners (DCs) have been tasked with issuing expulsion orders in accordance with the Immigrants Act, 1950. The police or the Border Security Force (BSF) will then escort the suspected foreigners to the border for deportation. “Direct Action, No Compromise. As per provisions of the Illegal Immigrants Act, we are identifying and issuing expulsion orders against suspected individuals,” he stated.

The Chief Minister’s directive builds on a move taken in September when the Assam state cabinet approved the framing of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under the Immigrants Act, 1950. The SOP is intended to provide clear guidance to DCs and senior superintendents of police (SSPs) for the identification and expulsion of illegal migrants from Assam, particularly in the context of alleged infiltration from neighbouring countries.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday night, Sarma elaborated on the operational aspects of the initiative. He said the government has already invoked the provisions of the Act to identify and deport suspected infiltrators. “So now, our DCs have been instructed that any person who they feel is suspicious, or has been declared a foreigner by the tribunal, should immediately be issued an expulsion order. Then the police or the BSF will take action to send them back to Bangladesh,” he added.

Under the SOP, the process for identifying suspected illegal immigrants begins when a DC receives information from the police or any other source indicating that a person may be residing illegally in Assam. The suspected individual is then required to provide proof of Indian citizenship within ten days. If the evidence is deemed insufficient or unsatisfactory, the DC records their opinion, detailing the facts and findings, and formally identifies the person as an illegal immigrant.

Following identification, the DC issues an expulsion order under Section 2 of the Immigrants Act, specifying a 24-hour timeframe for the individual to leave Assam via a designated route. For individuals already declared foreigners by the Foreigners’ Tribunals, no identification process is required, as such cases have typically exhausted available legal remedies, including appeals to the High Court or Supreme Court. The DC issues expulsion orders in these cases as well.

Once identified as illegal immigrants, individuals are referred to the SSP concerned, where their biometric and demographic details are captured on the Foreigners Identification Portal. In cases where the illegal immigrant fails to comply with the expulsion order, Section 4 of the Act authorizes the DC to either place the individual in a ‘Holding Centre’ or hand them over to the nearest BSF unit for deportation.

The SOP also outlines special procedures for immediate pushback. Illegal immigrants detected near the zero line, or within 12 hours of entry into Assam, are to be expelled immediately without undergoing the full identification process, in accordance with the provisions of the Immigrants Act.

The Chief Minister’s announcement comes amid renewed attention on Assam’s approach to illegal immigration, a politically sensitive issue in the state due to its history of migration from neighbouring countries. Assam has long implemented measures to identify and deport individuals residing illegally, including the establishment of Foreigners’ Tribunals, which examine cases of citizenship disputes and residency violations.

Sarma’s firm stance reflects the state government’s emphasis on enforcing legal provisions without compromise, signaling a continuation and intensification of efforts to address alleged infiltration from across the border. The process involves coordination among multiple agencies, including district administration, police, and the BSF, to ensure that identified illegal immigrants are efficiently located, verified, and deported as per legal protocols.

Experts note that Assam’s new SOP aims to streamline procedures for identification, expulsion, and deportation, minimizing delays and ensuring that the state administration can act swiftly when credible information regarding illegal residency comes to light. By formalizing the process, the government seeks to make enforcement more systematic while maintaining adherence to legal standards.

The Assam government has highlighted that these measures are being implemented strictly in line with the law, and all actions are intended to follow the procedural safeguards set forth under the Immigrants Act, 1950. Authorities stress that expulsion orders are issued only after due verification and that individuals are given an opportunity to prove their citizenship before formal action is taken.

By invoking both preventive and enforcement mechanisms, Assam aims to prevent unauthorized entry, detect illegal residents, and ensure their timely removal from the state. The SOP also underscores inter-agency cooperation, requiring district administration officials, police authorities, and the BSF to work in coordination to execute expulsion orders effectively and securely.

In conclusion, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s directives signal a proactive and uncompromising approach by the Assam government toward illegal immigration. By instructing districts to identify and deport suspected foreigners in accordance with legal provisions, the state seeks to safeguard its territorial integrity and maintain social order. With clear procedures laid out under the SOP and the Immigrants Act, Assam is reinforcing its commitment to lawful and systematic action against illegal residency, ensuring that all steps are documented, accountable, and in line with the country’s legal framework.