By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The Centre on Friday said it is ready to proceed with the deportation of more than 2,680 individuals suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals once their citizenship is confirmed by Bangladesh.
The decision is expected to be significant for Assam and other northeastern states that continue to raise concerns over illegal migration.
At a press briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has sent over 2,680 such cases to Bangladesh for nationality verification.
He explained that individuals found to be staying illegally in India will be dealt with under existing legal provisions. In cases involving Bangladeshi nationals, verification requests have been forwarded to Dhaka, and deportation will follow once confirmation is received.
Jaiswal added that in several cases, responses from Bangladesh have been pending for more than five years. He said India is expecting quicker action so that returns can be processed under bilateral arrangements between the two countries.
The issue holds particular importance for Assam and other northeastern states bordering Bangladesh, where illegal migration has remained a long-standing concern.
Debates around population change, land pressure, resource use, and indigenous rights have shaped Assam’s political landscape for decades, influencing major movements such as the Assam Agitation and later policy measures like the National Register of Citizens (NRC) update.
Separately, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a High-Level Committee to examine demographic changes across the country in a structured manner.
The panel will study shifts linked to illegal immigration, irregular cross-border movement, and unusual settlement trends.
The move has drawn attention in the Northeast, where concerns about infiltration from across the border continue to surface periodically.
Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram have consistently urged stricter border security measures and improved systems to identify and remove illegal migrants.
In Assam, the Centre’s statement is expected to be closely observed, as illegal migration remains a major public issue shaping governance and border security discussions.