Riverine Areas Along 'Kushiyara' River Remain Unfenced Due to BGB Objections: Assam Govt

During the second day of the winter session of the Assam Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Congress MLA Abdur Rahim Ahmed raised a question regarding the verification of foreigners and border management in the state.

In his reply, Assam Minister for Implementation of Assam Accord, Atul Bora, provided detailed information on the status of foreigners identified in the state since 2021. He stated that, as of October 31, 2025, a total of 32,207 individuals have been recognized as foreigners, with 1,416 cases still pending further verification. Minister Bora emphasized that the verification process is ongoing and that each case is being carefully examined and classified.

On border security, Bora highlighted that Assam shares a 267.5 km international border with Bangladesh, according to the Survey of India. This border spans districts including Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Cachar, and Sri Bhumi. Out of this, 228.541 km has been fenced with barbed wire, while the remaining stretches, mostly riverine areas, could not be fenced. In particular, a 4.35 km stretch along the Kushiyara river in Sri Bhumi district, where Indian settlements exist, has not been fenced due to objections from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

To ensure effective surveillance, the Border Security Force (BSF) is using the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) and conducting regular river patrols. The BSF’s Water Wings are deployed to oversee riverine stretches, maintaining constant monitoring in areas where fencing is not feasible.

Minister Bora reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening border security and continuing the verification and regulation of foreigners in Assam, in accordance with the Assam Accord.

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