Assam CM Raises Concerns Over Long-Standing Border Gaps
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the failure to secure the entire India-Bangladesh border soon after the signing of the Assam Accord was a major policy lapse that continued for decades. He argued that border protection efforts should have covered all northeastern states and West Bengal simultaneously instead of focusing on limited stretches.
According to Sarma, the absence of fencing across several border regions created vulnerabilities that allowed unchecked cross-border movement for years, making border management significantly more challenging.
Border Security Work Gains Momentum
The Chief Minister said fencing work is now progressing rapidly across states sharing boundaries with Bangladesh. He noted that substantial portions of the border in Meghalaya have already been secured, while construction activities are continuing in Tripura, Mizoram and West Bengal.
Sarma maintained that securing only selected sections of the international border could never produce effective results, stressing that open stretches elsewhere undermined efforts made in other regions.
Assam Accord Provisions Finally Seeing Action
Referring to the 1985 Assam Accord, Sarma said several key provisions related to border management remained pending for years and are only now being implemented with seriousness.
He stated that stronger border infrastructure and surveillance mechanisms are being introduced to address long-standing concerns over illegal migration and national security.
Focus Shifts to Demographic Changes
The Chief Minister also highlighted concerns over demographic shifts in border districts and said the issue is receiving attention at both the state and central levels. He noted that the Union Government has constituted a committee to study demographic changes in sensitive regions.
Sarma indicated that Assam would recommend a detailed verification process in border areas to examine the citizenship status of residents and strengthen monitoring mechanisms.
Call for Comprehensive Border Management
Emphasising the need for a coordinated national approach, the Chief Minister said border security measures must be implemented uniformly across the entire India-Bangladesh frontier. He argued that isolated fencing projects cannot fully address infiltration concerns and that a comprehensive strategy is necessary to safeguard border regions in the long term.
