Overview

• Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the group, which included women and children, was returned across the border and announced the action on X.
• Sarma described the operation as part of a zero-tolerance drive that he says now routinely intercepts 35 to 40 people each week.
• He and state officials have emphasized immediate escorts within hours, sidestepping lengthier legal deportation procedures.
• The chief minister argues the approach prevents illegal entries from affecting voter rolls and links recent crossings to poverty and political unrest in Bangladesh.
• Separately on September 18, Cachar Police reported detaining 10 Rohingya migrants near Silchar who were allegedly attempting to cross to Bangladesh.