“No Bengali Hindus in Assam detention camps, ready to resign if proven otherwise": Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, April 25 refuted claims that Bengali Hindus are being held in detention centres in Assam, asserting that no such instance exists in the state.

Addressing remarks attributed to leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Sarma said claims regarding the detention of Bengali Hindus were “completely baseless” and misleading.

“There is not a single Bengali Hindu in detention camps in Assam. If there is even a single Bengali Hindu, I am ready to resign today,” the Chief Minister stated, underlining his position on the issue.

Sarma further referred to legal provisions governing the identification and expulsion of illegal immigrants, citing the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950. He said the legislation empowers authorities to act against suspected infiltrators within a stipulated timeframe.

“The Supreme Court has granted Assam significant authority under this law. If a Deputy Commissioner determines that a person is an illegal immigrant, action can be taken within 48 hours,” he said.

The Chief Minister also argued that such legal provisions should be expanded beyond Assam. He maintained that extending the framework to other states would strengthen mechanisms to address illegal immigration, while also alleging that existing provisions offer protection to certain communities.

The remarks come amid continuing political exchanges between the Assam government and opposition parties over issues related to citizenship, detention centres, and the handling of alleged illegal immigration.