The Himanta Biswa Sarma administration accused of targeting poor Miya Muslim families ahead of the 2026 state elections; families say they were not heard before the order
NEW DELHI — Tension rose in Assam on Wednesday after the Sonitpur district administration handed sudden expulsion notices to five Muslim residents, asking them to leave the state within 24 hours. The order came after a Foreigners’ Tribunal declared them “foreigners”, a decision that Muslim groups say has shaken local families.
The five residents — identified as Hanufa, Mariam Nessa, Fatima, Monowara and Amjad Ali — live in Dhobokata village under Jamugurihat police station. According to officials, they are “Bangladeshi citizens” who “entered Assam years ago”.
Residents in the area said the families have lived there for many years, raised children, and worked on local farms. A neighbour said, “These families have grown up with us. We have never seen them as outsiders. Now they are being thrown out without even a hearing.”
Another villager added, “We are poor people. We do not have lawyers or money. Orders like this break our hearts.”
Officials stated that the action came from long-pending cases registered in 2006 by the Superintendent of Police (Border). These cases were being heard in Foreigners’ Tribunal No. 2 in Sonitpur, which has now ruled against the five individuals.
Following the ruling, Sonitpur administration issued the notices, stating: “These individuals must leave Assam within 24 hours, or legal action will be taken.”
The strongest reaction came from Ittehad Front Assam. Its chief, Nurul Islam, said the action was “deeply unfair” and accused the state government headed by Himanta Biswa Sarma of targeting poor Miya Muslim families ahead of the 2026 elections. He said: “It is wrong for the district administration to directly declare people as foreigners and order their deportation. The Chief Minister of Assam is targeting Miya Muslims for the 2026 elections. We strongly condemn this and will help the families affected.”
He added, “Such orders spread fear among thousands of families. This process is not in line with the law.”
Local people said the order has created panic, especially among families who have been fighting cases for years but lack the money to defend themselves properly.
One resident said, “If they can send out people who have lived here for so long, what will happen to the rest of us?”
Another woman said, “We only want fair treatment. We want to be heard. Throwing out families overnight is cruelty.”
There was no immediate comment from the Chief Minister, but officials in Sonitpur said they were only following the tribunal’s ruling. A district official said, “We acted according to the order. If the tribunal has declared someone a foreigner, we cannot delay the process.”
Muslim groups, however, said the state must allow the families time to appeal.
The affected families are now looking for legal support and say they have nowhere to go if forced to leave. One man from the village said, “They were born here, lived here, and worked here. Where will they go? This is their home.”
As the 24-hour deadline causes more worry in the village, community leaders said they will continue to raise the issue with higher authorities.
