Key Takeaways
• From May 23, 2025, Assam police detained about 300 residents, allegedly pushing 145 across Bangladesh border forcibly.
• Assam government cites Supreme Court orders to deport foreigners declared by Foreigners Tribunals, despite human rights concerns.
• Supreme Court to hear plea in July 2025 challenging legality and fairness of Assam’s forced deportations.
Allegations of Assam Residents Forced Across Bangladesh Border: What We Know
In late May and early June 2025, serious allegations surfaced from Assam, a state in northeastern India, about residents being forcibly pushed across the international border into Bangladesh 🇧🇩. These claims involve people being detained, transported to remote border areas, and then expelled—sometimes at gunpoint. The situation has raised deep concerns about human rights, legal procedures, and the treatment of people declared as foreigners in Assam. The matter has now reached the Supreme Court of India, which is set to examine the legality and fairness of these actions.
Below, we break down what has happened, why it matters, and what it means for the people of Assam, their families, and the broader India-Bangladesh relationship.
Key Points at a Glance
– Who: Residents of Assam, especially those declared foreigners by Foreigners Tribunals
– What: Alleged forced deportations across the Bangladesh border, sometimes at gunpoint
– When: Crackdown began on May 23, 2025; reports and testimonies emerged through early June 2025
– Where: Across Assam, especially in border districts like Barpeta, Golaghat, and Dhubri
– Why: Assam government cites Supreme Court orders to deport illegal immigrants
– How: Detentions, transportation to the border, and forced expulsion without clear legal process
The Allegations: What Happened in Assam?
Starting on the night of May 23, 2025, Assam police began a large-scale operation across all 33 districts. According to reports, about 300 people were detained. Many families say they were not told why their loved ones were taken or where they were being held. Some detainees were released, but unconfirmed reports suggest that about 145 people were pushed across the border into the no-man’s land between India 🇮🇳 and Bangladesh 🇧🇩.
Personal Stories from the Border
Shona Banu’s Ordeal:
A 58-year-old woman from Barpeta district, Shona Banu, says she was called to the local police station on May 25, 2025. There, she was allegedly forced at gunpoint to cross into Bangladesh. Her story is not unique—several others have described similar experiences.
Rahima Begum’s Testimony:
Rahima Begum, 50, from Golaghat district, was taken from her home at 4 AM on May 25, 2025. She spent the day at the police superintendent’s office, where her fingerprints were taken. Later that night, she was transported to the Bangladesh border. According to Rahima:
“The security forces who were with us gave us some Bangladeshi currency and told us to cross and not return. It was all paddy fields with mud and water up to our knees. We did not know what to do. We just walked between the paddy fields until we reached a village. But the people there chased us away and the border forces called us, beat us a lot and told us to go back to where we came from.”
Rahima and others spent a day stranded in the fields, drinking water from the muddy ground because they could not move to either side. On Thursday evening, Indian forces called them back, took away the Bangladeshi currency, and sent them to different locations. Rahima was finally brought back to Golaghat on May 31, 2025, after officials realized her family had been ruled Indian citizens by a Foreigners Tribunal just a month earlier.
Official Response: Assam Government and Supreme Court
Assam’s Position:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed on May 30, 2025, that the state is pushing people declared as foreigners by Foreigners Tribunals across the border into Bangladesh. He said this was being done in line with a Supreme Court order to deport illegal immigrants.
Indian Government’s Stance:
Earlier in January 2025, India’s Ministry of External Affairs called in Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner to discuss border security. India stressed its commitment to a “crime-free border,” mentioning steps like barbed wire fencing, border lighting, and technical devices to stop smuggling and illegal crossings.
Supreme Court Involvement:
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea from the son of Manowara Begum, a woman allegedly detained and deported from Assam. Her case is complicated:
- Declared a foreigner by a tribunal in 2015
- Detained in 2016, released on bail by the Supreme Court in 2019
- Recently detained again in Dhubri district
- Her son argues her detention is arbitrary and unlawful, especially since her civil appeal is still pending in the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has asked the Assam government and police to respond, with a hearing expected in July 2025.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
The Role of Foreigners Tribunals
Foreigners Tribunals are special courts in Assam that decide if a person is an Indian citizen or a foreigner. The key date is March 25, 1971—anyone who cannot prove they or their ancestors were in India before this date can be declared a foreigner. Once declared, people face detention and possible deportation.
Human Rights Groups Speak Out
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), a human rights group, has submitted a memorandum to the National Human Rights Commission. They have interviewed several women who were pushed across the border and later returned. Families say they tried to file police reports (FIRs), but local police refused, forcing them to send complaints by post to higher officials.
Lack of Legal Process
Many of those affected say they were not given formal deportation orders or a chance to appeal. There is no clear process for tracking people who have been pushed across the border or for ensuring their safety. This lack of transparency has left families in deep distress, not knowing where their loved ones are or if they are safe.
Background: Why Assam and the Bangladesh Border Matter
Assam’s Unique Citizenship Rules
Assam has a long history of migration, especially from neighboring Bangladesh. In 1985, the Assam Accord set March 25, 1971 as the cut-off date for citizenship. Anyone who cannot prove their presence or ancestry in India before this date risks being declared a foreigner.
The National Register of Citizens (NRC)
Assam is the only state in India with a National Register of Citizens (NRC), a list meant to identify genuine Indian citizens. The NRC process, completed in 2019, left nearly 2 million people off the list, raising fears of statelessness and mass deportations.
Border Security and Bilateral Relations
The India-Bangladesh border is about 4,096 kilometers long, with Assam sharing a significant stretch. The border is often porous, with reports of smuggling, trafficking, and illegal crossings. Both countries have agreements and protocols for managing the border, but tensions remain high.
In May 2025, India increased security along the border after intelligence warnings about possible terror threats. The Border Security Force (BSF) has stepped up patrols, especially in West Bengal, to prevent infiltration.
For more on official border management, readers can visit the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for up-to-date information on border security measures.
Human Stories: The Impact on Families
The most painful part of this situation is the human cost. People like Rahima Begum and Shona Banu have faced trauma, confusion, and fear. Families are left in the dark, unsure if their loved ones are alive, safe, or ever coming home.
Rahima Begum’s son, Rakib Uddin Choudhury, described the ordeal:
“They took my mother’s documents and collected her fingerprints with those of some others. My sisters and family members were there the whole day. But they were not allowed to meet my mother. Late at night, they took my mother to the Goalpara detention camp and then to the border. The police, who were with my mother and others, gave them Bangladeshi notes and directed them to cross the border.”
Many families say they have nowhere to turn. Local police often refuse to register their complaints, and there is no clear way to get information about missing relatives.
What Happens Next? Legal and Policy Implications
Supreme Court Hearing
The Supreme Court’s upcoming hearing in July 2025 could set important rules for how Assam and other states handle people declared as foreigners. The court may look at:
- Whether people are being given a fair chance to prove their citizenship
- If proper legal procedures are being followed before deportation
- The rights of those who are detained or pushed across the border
Possible Changes to Deportation Practices
If the Supreme Court finds that Assam’s actions violate legal or human rights standards, it could order changes to how deportations are carried out. This might include:
- Requiring formal deportation orders
- Ensuring people can appeal before being deported
- Better tracking and reporting of those sent across the border
Impact on India-Bangladesh Relations
These incidents could strain ties between India 🇮🇳 and Bangladesh 🇧🇩. Bangladesh has not officially accepted people pushed across the border without proper documentation. Without clear repatriation agreements, those expelled may be left in limbo, unable to settle in either country.
What Should Affected Families Do?
If you or someone you know is affected by these actions in Assam, here are some steps you can take:
- Contact a Lawyer: Legal help is important, especially if someone has been declared a foreigner or detained.
- File a Complaint: If local police refuse to register your complaint, send it by post to the Superintendent of Police or higher authorities.
- Reach Out to Human Rights Groups: Organizations like Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) can provide support and help document your case.
- Keep Records: Save all documents, notices, and communication with authorities. These may be needed for legal appeals.
- Monitor Supreme Court Developments: The upcoming hearing may affect your rights and options.
The Bigger Picture: Citizenship, Borders, and Human Rights
The situation in Assam is not just about one state or one border. It raises bigger questions about how countries decide who belongs, how borders are managed, and how people’s rights are protected.
- Citizenship laws must be clear, fair, and applied with respect for human dignity.
- Border security is important, but it should not come at the cost of basic rights.
- Legal processes must give people a real chance to prove their case before life-changing decisions are made.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Assam-Bangladesh border situation highlights the need for transparent procedures, strong legal protections, and careful handling of citizenship disputes to avoid wrongful deportations and family separations.
Conclusion: What Lies Ahead
The allegations from Assam about forced deportations across the Bangladesh border are serious and have far-reaching effects. With the Supreme Court set to review these actions, there is hope that clearer rules and better protections will be put in place. For now, families remain anxious, human rights groups continue to document cases, and the world watches to see how India 🇮🇳 will balance border security with the rights and dignity of its people.
Key Takeaways for Readers:
– If you are in Assam and worried about citizenship status, seek legal advice and keep all documents safe.
– Stay informed about the Supreme Court case, as its outcome could affect many families.
– For official information on border management and citizenship rules, visit the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
– Human rights groups and legal aid organizations can offer support if you or your family are affected.
The coming months will be critical in shaping how Assam, the Bangladesh border, and India as a whole address these complex and sensitive issues.
Learn Today
Foreigners Tribunals → Special courts in Assam deciding if individuals are Indian citizens or declared foreigners based on ancestry proof.
Pushback → The practice of forcibly expelling people across a border without formal deportation processes or legal protections.
National Register of Citizens (NRC) → Assam’s official list identifying genuine Indian citizens, excluding those without proper documentation.
Supreme Court → India’s highest judicial authority, reviewing legal challenges including Assam’s deportation practices.
Deportation → The act of expelling a person from a country, often following legal or governmental action.
This Article in a Nutshell
In Assam, over 145 residents faced forced pushback across the Bangladesh border in 2025. Families report detentions, gunpoint expulsions, and unclear legal processes, sparking human rights debates. The Supreme Court now reviews this, spotlighting citizenship laws and border security amid rising legal and humanitarian tensions in India.
— By VisaVerge.com
