Assam CM Dismisses Claims of Hindu Influx from Bangladesh
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Guwahati, Jan 1 (NationPress) Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday dismissed assertions regarding an influx of Hindus from Bangladesh stemming from unrest in the neighboring nation, emphasizing that state security forces have not detected any Hindu Bangladeshi infiltrators in the past five months.
According to Sarma, “We have deployed security forces at the International Border in response to the turmoil in Bangladesh to prevent infiltration. Daily, police have identified a significant number of illegal immigrants along the border. However, no Hindu infiltrators from Bangladesh have been apprehended in the last five months.”
The Chief Minister elaborated that most of the Hindu community members who immigrated from Bangladesh did so 30 to 40 years ago, while others remain in the neighboring country for various reasons.
“The majority of the Hindu community members who wished to migrate to India did so three to four decades ago. The remaining minority population has endured significant challenges in Bangladesh, yet they have their own motivations for staying, perhaps due to love for their homeland or a sense of patriotism towards Bangladesh,” he stated.
Sarma noted that recent spikes in Bangladeshi infiltration are attributed to the collapse of the textile industry in Bangladesh, which has left many unemployed.
He indicated that the economic downturn in Bangladesh has predominantly affected the majority community rather than the minorities.
“To date, we have apprehended around 1,000 individuals from Bangladesh in recent months, and they were promptly repatriated after their arrest,” the CM added.
He also linked illegal infiltration to incentives provided by certain textile industry owners in India.
Furthermore, Sarma mentioned that he addressed the issue of Bangladeshi infiltration with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC).
“I have shared these concerns with fellow Chief Ministers of northeastern states,” he concluded.
