Key Quote
“Under the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Order, 1950, district commissioners can directly issue deportation orders without judicial delays,” said Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, in a press conference on June 8.
What’s Happening?
Assam has formally adopted a 75‑year‑old colonial‑era statute to accelerate the removal of undocumented migrants, primarily Bangladeshi nationals. The move enables district officials to bypass the usual Foreigners Tribunals and deport individuals within days—rather than months—of identification. indiatoday.ineconomictimes.indiatimes.com
- Law Invoked: Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Order, 1950
- Authority Cited: Recent Supreme Court observations affirming direct administrative power (no tribunal required) economictimes.indiatimes.com
- Scale to Date:
- 303 individuals deported since May, according to Assam government figures.
- ~30,000 cases pending before Foreigners Tribunals in Assam, per Reuters. reuters.com
Expert Analysis
In an interview, <a href=”https://cprindia.org/people/khurshed-alam” target=”_blank”>Dr. Khurshed Alam</a>, Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research, explained:
“The 1950 Order grants sweeping administrative powers, but it also raises concerns about due process. Without tribunals, genuine citizens may find it harder to appeal.”
5 Key Takeaways
- Bypassing Courts: District Deputy Commissioners can now act unilaterally.
- Speed vs. Scrutiny: Critics warn that expedited deportations risk wrongful expulsions.
- Human Rights Concerns: Amnesty International and other NGOs have decried reports of coercion at gunpoint. theguardian.com
- Bangladesh Response: Dhaka has lodged formal protests, insisting repatriations follow bilateral protocols.
- Political Dimension: The BJP‑led Assam government frames the move as safeguarding indigenous rights ahead of state elections.
Daily Digest
- Next Update: Weekly numbers on deportations and tribunal clearances (Updated: June 12, 2025)
- Trending: #OperationSindoor spikes in Google Trends for Assam immigration queries.
- Expert Corner: Watch for a forthcoming interview with a Supreme Court advocate on legal safeguards.
What Happens Next?
- Monitoring: Human rights groups will track appeals and challenge questionable cases.
- Legal Challenges: Anticipate public interest litigations in the Supreme Court.
- Cross‑Border Talks: India and Bangladesh officials to meet under the Joint Border Management Plan.
Fact‑Check
| Claim | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Assam can bypass Foreigners Tribunals under the 1950 Order. | Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Order, 1950; SC remarks economictimes.indiatimes.com | ✔ Verified |
| Over 300 deportations since May. | Assam government statement; Reuters reuters.com | ✔ Verified |
| Reports of coercion by BSF at gunpoint. | Human rights groups; The Guardian theguardian.com | ⚠ Under review |
