In a first-of-its-kind move, the Assam government has invoked the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, directing five individuals declared as foreigners to leave India within 24 hours. The orders were issued this week by the Sonitpur district administration, marking the first known use of the Act since the state cabinet approved its implementation earlier this year.
Five Declared Foreigners Ordered to Leave
According to officials, all five individuals—four women and one man—were declared foreigners by Sonitpur’s Foreigners Tribunal No. 2 earlier this year. Border police had originally referred their cases in 2006. The individuals, reportedly belonging to two families, were residents of Dhobokata village in Sonitpur district.
The expulsion orders, signed by Deputy Commissioner Ananda Kumar Das, state that their presence in Assam is “detrimental to the interest of the general public and internal security of the state.” They have been instructed to exit India within 24 hours via the Dhubri/Sribhumi/South Salmara-Mankachar route, which leads to Bangladesh.
Police Say the Individuals Are Missing
Following the issuance of the orders, a police team visited the village on Thursday but did not find any of the five individuals. Authorities believe they are absconding.
“We are searching for them, and once they are located, we will take further action as per law,” said Barun Purkayastha, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sonitpur.
Locals claim the families have not lived in the village for more than a decade. According to residents, the families had moved to Dhobokata nearly 20 years ago from central Assam but left shortly after locals reported them to the border police.
Background: A Dormant Act Revived
The Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950 was enacted in the years following Partition amid concerns over migration from East Pakistan. The Act empowers the government to expel individuals whose stay is deemed harmful to public interests or to the interests of Scheduled Tribes in Assam.
The Assam cabinet approved new standard operating procedures for enforcing the long-dormant Act in September this year.
Unlike formal deportation—which requires coordination with the receiving country—Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said the Act enables authorities to bypass diplomatic channels.
