Assam government invokes 1950 expulsion law, orders immediate deportation of five declared illegal immigrants

Guwahati: In a bold move against illegal immigration, Assam’s BJP government has invoked the rarely used 1950 expulsion law, directing five declared foreigners to leave the state within 24 hours. This marks a significant step in Assam’s continued efforts to enforce immigration laws strictly.

The five individuals – Hanuifa, Mariyam Nessa, Fatima, Monowara, and Amjad Ali – were declared “illegal foreigners” by the Foreigners Tribunal (FT) on October 24, 2025. Following the tribunal’s declaration, the Assam government issued orders for their immediate deportation under the 1950 Immigration Act, which allows rapid expulsion of individuals identified as illegal immigrants.

Deputy Commissioner of Sonitpur District, Anand Kumar Das, issued the orders on November 19, directing that the five be expelled via the Dhubri/Sribhoomi/Dakshin Salmara-Mankachar route within the stipulated 24-hour period. The deadline for compliance expired on Thursday. The directive also mandates the deletion of their names from any government benefit schemes if applicable.

The Foreigners Tribunal, a quasi-judicial body, had been handling the case since 2006. According to officials, the five individuals did not appear for any of the hearings, which prompted the tribunal to issue a decisive ruling. The Deputy Commissioner confirmed that the individuals were last reported residing in Dhobokata village in the Jamugurihat area but were not present when local police visited for verification. Authorities are continuing their search for them.

The expulsion orders underline that the presence of declared foreigners in Assam is considered detrimental to public interest and state internal security. Officials have also warned that any violation or delay in compliance would compel the state to take further action under the provisions of the 1950 law to forcibly remove them.

This action reflects Assam’s firm approach to controlling illegal immigration, particularly of individuals declared “illegal” by the FT. While rare, the use of the 1950 expulsion law signals the government’s readiness to implement strict measures swiftly and reinforces the state’s stance on maintaining security and legal compliance regarding immigrants.

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