Guwahati, Dec 24: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday warned that the state could face serious political and territorial consequences if the population of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh increases further, claiming that Assam could be “automatically included” in the neighbouring country if the figure rises by another 10 per cent.
Speaking to reporters after an official programme in Guwahati, Sarma said he has been raising concerns over unchecked immigration for the past five years. He claimed that people of Bangladeshi origin currently constitute around 40 per cent of Assam’s population.
“In Assam, 40 per cent of the population are Bangladeshi-origin people. If this increases by another 10 per cent, we will automatically be included.
That is why I have been shouting about this issue for the last five years,” the chief minister said. Sarma’s remarks came against the backdrop of a controversial statement made earlier this month by Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of Bangladesh’s newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP).
Abdullah reportedly said that Dhaka should “isolate” India’s northeastern states and support separatist forces in the region if India attempted to destabilise Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh leader also referred to the geographical vulnerability of the Northeast, highlighting its dependence on the narrow Siliguri Corridor, popularly known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’, which connects the region to the rest of India.
Responding to these comments, Sarma reiterated that demographic changes driven by illegal immigration pose serious risks to Assam’s identity, political stability and national security.
He emphasised the need for strict measures to protect the state’s territorial and constitutional integrity. The Assam government has repeatedly flagged the issue of illegal immigration as a key challenge for the Northeast, linking it to long-term security and governance concerns.
