AASU Urges Strict Measures Against Illegal Immigration from Bangladesh

All Assam Students' Union (AASU) advisor Samujjal Bhattacharjya has urged the Indian government to prevent illegal immigration and asylum seekers from Bangladesh, stressing the need to protect the identity of indigenous populations in the Northeast. He expressed concerns over the security and demographic threats posed by past and potential influxes.

All Assam Students' Union (AASU) advisor Samujjal Bhattacharjya on Friday urged the Indian government to ensure that no person enters India illegally from Bangladesh and to prevent granting asylum or rehabilitation in the Northeast.

Bhattacharjya highlighted the concerns over the security and identity of indigenous populations, as four states in the Northeast share a 1,885-km border with Bangladesh. He emphasized that the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh could lead to an exodus into the region, worsening the situation.

The North East Students' Organisation (NESO) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, voicing similar concerns. They urged for strict border controls to detect and prevent illegal migration.

Past incidents, particularly during civil unrest in Bangladesh, have led to mass illegal immigration into the Northeast, impacting the indigenous communities adversely. Bhattacharjya pointed out that Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh have faced significant threats due to illegal migrants, which have led to losses in land rights, and cultural and social identities.

Bhattacharjya also noted that porous borders pose security threats, with fundamentalists and insurgents likely to exploit the situation. He called for strong measures from both the Central and state governments to seal the borders completely and prevent illegal entry from Bangladesh.

(With inputs from agencies.)