GUWAHATI, July 8: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has strongly defended his government’s ongoing eviction drive aimed at removing what he described as “illegal Bangladeshis”, warning that those opposing the campaign would have to “bear it.”

Speaking to reporters in Kokrajhar on Monday, Sarma asserted that the drive is necessary to protect the land and identity of indigenous communities, especially in districts like Lakhimpur, where people from Karimganj, Dhubri, Chappar, and Silchar are allegedly settling without legal rights.

“If anyone has a problem with the removal of 350 illegal Bangladeshis, they will have to bear it. Many people have been martyred in the past in the fight to drive Bangladeshis out,” said Sarma, reinforcing the BJP government’s hardline stance. He stated that political pressure would not derail the campaign, which has been widely criticised by opposition parties and minority rights groups.

The Chief Minister accused opposition leaders of politicising the issue and using emotional narratives to shield illegal migrants. “Now they are doing politics in the name of a girl to provide security to Bangladeshis. Their objective is to stop the BJP’s eviction campaign, but the BJP has gone ahead with it,” he remarked.

Sarma also announced that the eviction drive will continue and expand, stating that the campaign would reach Dhubri’s Chappar area next. “No outsider should be allowed to enter Bodoland,” he declared, referring to the region’s autonomous territorial governance area.

The statement follows Sarma’s earlier announcement on July 5, when he revealed that 18 Bangladeshi nationals had been pushed back to their country after being found residing illegally in Assam’s Cachar and Sribhumi districts. Sharing the development on social media, Sarma wrote, “Oh look who’s going back to their home? In Assam, we welcome guests with open arms, but those trying to illegally prolong their stay are treated with the special gesture of PUSHBACK.”

While the government claims the campaign is focused on upholding land rights and national integrity, critics argue it lacks transparency and due process. Opposition parties and rights groups have urged the state to show greater humanitarian consideration, especially in verifying citizenship and ensuring legal redress for the affected.