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A sudden order has put 15 people on the clock in Assam, reviving an old law and reshaping how the state handles illegal migration, deportation powers and border enforcement, raising fresh questions about speed, authority and future impact.
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Guwahati: Assam witnessed a rare and decisive administrative move when district authorities directed fifteen individuals to leave India within twenty four hours. The order immediately stood out because it relied on a law enacted in 1950, a provision that has remained largely in the background for decades. The decision signals a sharper and faster approach to dealing with illegal migration in the state, especially in districts long affected by cross border movement.
The individuals served with the exit directive fall under the legal category of declared foreigners. This label is applied to people who fail to establish Indian citizenship before a Foreigners Tribunal. These tribunals function as quasi judicial bodies that examine documents, testimonies and records to determine nationality. Once a tribunal delivers its decision, the individual loses the right to remain in the country legally.
In this case, the tribunal concluded that all fifteen individuals were citizens of Bangladesh who had been residing in India without valid authorization. Among them are six women and several elderly individuals, reflecting how long some have lived in local communities. Despite these social ties, the legal ruling left little room for delay once the administrative machinery moved forward.
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The directive was issued by the Nagaon District Commissioner and formally handed over to the individuals, giving them a strict twenty four hour deadline to leave Assam and India. The order specified exit routes through border districts including Dhubri, Sribhumi and South Salmara Mankachar. Local police units were tasked with overseeing the deportation process to ensure compliance.
At the time of the order, six of the declared foreigners were housed at the Matia Transit Camp in Goalpara. Five others were kept at the Seventh Assam Police Battalion facility in Charaikhola in Kokrajhar district. The order did not specify the current location of four individuals, adding a layer of administrative complexity to the enforcement process.
This marks the second recent instance of authorities invoking the Immigrants Expulsion from Assam Act 1950. The law empowers district magistrates to order expulsion once illegal migrants are identified by the police. Its renewed use follows observations made during hearings related to Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, where the Supreme Court noted that the Act remains valid and enforceable.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has openly supported direct and swift deportation. He stated that once suspected foreigners are detected, the state can act without waiting for prolonged tribunal processes. According to him, earlier uncertainty around the law delayed action, but recent legal clarity has encouraged the government to move decisively.
Earlier this year, a statewide drive led to multiple detentions and pushbacks across the Indo Bangladesh border. Several detainees were sent to Matia Transit Camp, and a group was pushed across the border before family members approached the Gauhati High Court. Following judicial intervention, those individuals were brought back and released, prompting the government to clarify that pending court cases would halt deportation.
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The Chief Minister has also highlighted a troubling statistic, nearly thirty thousand declared foreigners are untraceable in Assam. This has added urgency to the detection and deportation campaign. Officials argue that the National Register of Citizens exercise earlier slowed the process, but with that phase over, enforcement has resumed with greater intensity.
The latest order underscores a shift toward administrative speed and firm border policy. While supporters view it as necessary for maintaining demographic balance and security, critics warn about humanitarian concerns and due process. As Assam continues its drive, the balance between law enforcement and individual rights will remain under close watch.
