Infiltrators entering Bengal spill into other states: Assam CM
The Statesman | 27 April 2026
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma on Saturday said the West Bengal Assembly election is important as its outcome will have an impact on the security of all northeastern states of the country.
Biswa Sarma, a senior BJP leader, said infiltration is a known issue plaguing West Bengal.
“These illegal infiltrators who can freely cross over into West Bengal often end up spilling over to neighbouring states such as Assam, Tripura and Jharkhand, among others. Still, the Trinamul Congress government does nothing about it,” Sarma said.
According to Sarma, this puts the security of the country, particularly that of the northeastern states at grave risk.
“The Mamata Banerjee-led government in Bengal is actively slowing down the border fencing project because of its vote bank politics,” Sarma said.
He said that out of a planned 456 km stretch, land has been made available for only 77 km, delaying progress compared to neighbouring states, where fencing is advancing more rapidly.
Citing figures, Sarma said that the increase in voters in districts such as North Dinajpur and Malda was because infiltrators had been granted voting rights by the TMC government in Bengal.
“TMC is a party that actively supports infiltrators and even cross-border smuggling for its own benefit,” Sarma said.
He also added that demographic patterns in West Bengal’s border districts have shifted significantly over the past few decades and linked sharp increases in voter numbers in such areas to cross-border infiltration.
“The cultural heritage of Bengal and its identity is at risk from infiltrators. If this keeps on happening for the next 20 years, then it can wipe out the heritage of Bengal completely,” Sarma said.