Assam CM flags security concerns over movement of ULFA leaders in Bangladesh

Guwahati: Amid strained India–Bangladesh relations, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday flagged serious security concerns for the State, citing intelligence inputs about the movement of senior leaders of banned militant outfits in Bangladesh.

Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Mr. Sarma said intelligence agencies had detected the presence of top commanders of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and other militant groups not under ceasefire in Bangladesh.

“Recently, certain visits have taken place involving top commanders of ULFA and some smaller militant groups that are not under ceasefire. Their presence has been noticed on the soil of Bangladesh,” he said.

Referring to the period when the Awami League was in power, Mr. Sarma highlighted the cooperation extended by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which had played a crucial role in curbing militancy and restoring peace in Assam and the Northeast. “We have been able to tame ULFA and militancy in Assam because of the help received from the then Bangladesh regime. Assam and the Northeast would not have been peaceful without Sheikh Hasina,” he said.

The Chief Minister cautioned that any surge in hostility towards India following political changes in Bangladesh could pose a serious security challenge for the region, particularly if militant groups were allowed to regroup or establish bases across the border. “If there is a regime change in Bangladesh and hostility towards India increases, there is a real threat of militants building bases there,” he said, noting that Assam shares over 800 km of international border with Bangladesh.

Mr. Sarma added that the Assam government was closely monitoring developments to track any movement of militants into Bangladesh. He also referred to recent concerns about the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, saying that the State would formally urge the Union government to take diplomatic and administrative measures to ensure the safety of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

While foreign affairs fall under the Centre’s jurisdiction, Mr. Sarma emphasised that State governments have a responsibility to raise concerns when humanitarian issues threaten regional stability.