Sarma warns of influx threat, urges tighter Indo-Bangla border security

Agartala: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday highlighted what he called “the continuing threat of illegal infiltration and its impact on security and demographic stability in the northeast.”He was speaking to the media before leaving Agartala for Guwahati after a one-day visit.Sarma arrived on Thursday evening and performed puja at the Tripureswari temple in Udaipur. He also held a high-level dinner discussion with Tripura CM Manik Saha and met BJP leaders and state ministers.He said Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram share long borders with Bangladesh and remain vulnerable to cross-border infiltration amid political unrest in the neighbouring country. He said state govts were working to prevent such attempts, while alleging West Bengal has been less cooperative on the issue of Bangladeshi nationals.“Illegal infiltration extends beyond Assam, impacting the entire northeast. Post-census data in Assam suggests a potential rise in the minority population to approximately 40%, creating a complex situation that necessitates ongoing vigilance to tackle the challenges faced by the region,” Sarma said.He reiterated the threat of infiltration from Bangladesh and pointed to measures being taken in Assam and Tripura, while calling for similar initiatives in West Bengal.Sarma stressed the need for sustained efforts to secure the India-Bangladesh border, calling it vital for peace and stability in the northeast. He also said continuity of the ruling govt in Assam, Tripura and West Bengal was important for the region’s future.On whether recent developments in Bangladesh could influence the upcoming Assam assembly elections, Sarma said the situation would not have a direct impact, but noted strong public sentiment over reported atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh.