Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that 20 illegal Bangladeshi nationals were pushed back across the border overnight, asserting that such operations will continue without pause.

In a post on X, Sarma defended the state’s tough stance, citing a Hindi proverb to stress that forceful measures are necessary against those who refuse to leave voluntarily. He said security forces are currently pushing back around 20 to 30 illegal migrants daily along the Assam border.

The Chief Minister noted that large-scale deportation through formal legal channels is not practical in many cases. He described the government’s broader approach as one of “civil disobedience and non-cooperation,” drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, aimed at making it difficult for illegal migrants to remain in the state.

At the same time, Sarma stressed the need to clearly distinguish between illegal migrants and Assam’s indigenous Muslim communities. He cautioned that local communities must not be harassed or wrongly linked to the issue.

Officials said border surveillance and enforcement measures have been intensified as part of the ongoing drive.