Assam Blocks 18 Foreigners at Border Amid Security Push

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed on July 30 that authorities intercepted 18 foreign nationals attempting to enter India illegally. The state government continues to prioritize local security and identity through constant surveillance. Officials stopped the group as part of an ongoing crackdown on unauthorized border crossings.

Sarma did not specify the exact intercept locations or the nationalities of those detained. He posted the update to X, emphasizing that the state will not tolerate security lapses. "Our vigilance remains uncompromising, with strict monitoring and action continuing 24x7," he stated.

Assam shares a 267.5-km border with Bangladesh across the Sribhumi, Cachar, Dhubri, and South Salmara-Mankachar districts. The region includes the Sutarkandi Integrated Check Post in Sribhumi, one of three such entry points on the India-Bangladesh line, alongside Dawki in Meghalaya and Akhaura in Tripura. Another check post operates at Darranga on the border with Bhutan.

Border security tightened significantly following 2024 political unrest in Bangladesh. Assam Police currently coordinates with the Border Security Force to block illegal entry. Officials maintain authorized entry points for Indian passport holders looking to return home from the neighboring country.