Key facts
- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called the delayed implementation of border fencing a "historical mistake."
- Fencing efforts along the India-Bangladesh border were not consistently applied across all bordering states after the 1985 Assam Accord.
- Significant progress has been made recently in fencing along the borders of Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and West Bengal.
- Sarma indicated that the effective implementation of the Assam Accord's border management provisions is beginning in 2025.
- A Union Government committee is examining demographic changes in border regions, with Assam recommending citizenship status scrutiny for families.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has characterized the prolonged delay in implementing border fencing provisions under the 1985 Assam Accord as a "historical mistake." Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma highlighted that while fencing work began along the Assam-Bangladesh border after the accord's signing, similar efforts were not concurrently extended to other bordering states like Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and West Bengal.
Sarma pointed out that large sections of the border in these neighboring states remained unfenced for years, which facilitated cross-border movement. He provided updates on the progress, stating that fencing is now 90% complete in Meghalaya, around 60% in Tripura, and ongoing in Mizoram. He also noted that fencing is now being undertaken along approximately 800 km of the previously open border in West Bengal.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the "actual implementation" of the Assam Accord's border management provisions has only started recently, with him suggesting it is beginning in 2025. He questioned the effectiveness of securing only select border stretches, stating, "If Siliguri is open and Mankachar is closed, then what is the meaning?"
Regarding concerns about demographic changes in border regions, Sarma mentioned that the Union Government has established a committee to investigate the issue. He indicated that the Assam government would recommend a thorough scrutiny of the citizenship status of every family residing in these vulnerable border areas.