India, Dec. 18 -- The Assam government has given 15 individuals, who had been declared foreigners by Foreigners' Tribunals, 24 hours to exit the state and return to Bangladesh. The direction was given invoking the state's powers under the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950.

They have been asked to leave Assam via the Dhubri, Sribhumi or South Salmara-Mankachar route, all of which connect to Bangladesh.

Nagaon District Magistrate Devashish Sharma issued the identical expulsion orders on Wednesday. Of the 15, six are currently lodged at the Matia Transit Camp in Goalpara, and another five are at the 7th Assam Police Battalion in Kokrajhar's Charaikhola. The details of the remaining four individuals were not available.

The orders...