Stop detention, pushback of genuine citizens to Bangladesh: AIUDF

Published 8 July 2026 · india

The Assam government's drive against “illegal immigrants” should not lead to the detention of genuine Indian citizens and their pushback into Bangladesh, the minority-based All

The Assam government's drive against “illegal immigrants” should not lead to the detention of genuine Indian citizens and their pushback into Bangladesh, the minority-based All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) said on Wednesday (July 8, 2026). In a memorandum to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the party led by perfume baron Maulana Badruddin Ajmal sought to draw his attention to the pushback of suspected Bangladeshis across the border. Such pushbacks are often carried out at night, leaving the alleged Bangladeshi nationals stranded on no-man’s land due to Dhaka’s reluctance to accept them. No-man’s land is usually a 137-metre strip of land on either side of the border between two countries. “The AIUDF firmly supports strict legal action against illegal infiltrators and foreign nationals in accordance with the law. Detection, deportation, eviction, or any other lawful action against persons who are not Indian citizens should continue without hesitation,” the memorandum signed by Mr. Ajmal and five others read.

“However, we are deeply concerned by reports that genuine Indian citizens, particularly members of the Muslim community who have been residing in Assam for more than a hundred years and possess valid citizenship documents, are allegedly being subjected to wrongful detention or pushback,” the memorandum stated. The AIUDF cited the example of Sakina Khatun of Nalbari, an Assamese woman who was reportedly pushed into Bangladesh despite claims that she was an Indian citizen. India had to take her back. Party leader Rafiqul Islam, one of the signatories, urged the government to undertake proper verification of suspected foreigners and coordinate with Bangladesh before any pushback. Rehabilitation of evicted persons The AIUDF said the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Assam government carried out evictions and displaced a large number of families over the past two years.

It acknowledged the government’s authority to remove illegal encroachments in accordance with the law, but said it was equally important to ensure that the affected families are treated with dignity and humanity. “Many families have been left without proper shelter, children have been forced to discontinue their education, and many continue to struggle for their basic livelihood. We request the government to introduce effective rehabilitation and resettlement measures so that displaced families are provided with housing, access to education, healthcare, and other essential facilities at the earliest,” the AIUDF said. The party advised against further eviction drives without ensuring proper rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected families, including the allotment of suitable land or alternative accommodation. The party also requested the government to review and repeal the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill passed by the Assembly in May.