GUWAHATI:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday (January 1, 2026) said his government would not wait for a repatriation treaty between India and Bangladesh to intensify the pushback of “illegal immigrants” under a new policy framework. He exuded confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would form the government for the third consecutive time in the State and continue with its agenda of development and safeguarding the interests of indigenous peoples.
Systematic attempts in India to incite anti-Bangladesh sentiments: interim government
Mr. Sarma said some 2,000 foreigners who stayed illegally in Assam were pushed back over the past few months. They included 18 sent across the India-Bangladesh border on Wednesday (December 31, 2025).
“If the eviction of foreigners from 1.45 lakh hectares of government land was the hallmark last year, 2026 will be marked by the number of foreigners expelled,” the Chief Minister told journalists during the customary New Year interaction. He thanked the Centre for playing an active role in the pushback.
