Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma pushes border fencing, tightens Aadhaar to curb illegal immigration

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the long‑standing gaps in the India‑Bangladesh border fence allowed unchecked cross‑border movement for years. He announced that fencing work is now accelerating in Meghalaya and continuing in Tripura, Mizoram and West Bengal, calling for a coordinated national approach to secure the entire frontier as envisioned in the 1985 Assam Accord.

In a separate policy move, the Assam cabinet decided to stop routine Aadhaar enrolment for adults, introducing a stricter, case‑by‑case verification process. The new rules retain enrolment for children and provide exemptions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Tea Garden communities until 2027. Sarma said the measures aim to prevent illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from obtaining identity documents, strengthen documentation systems and address demographic concerns in border districts.