Guwahati, Aug. 25 -- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday claimed 36 Bangladeshi nationals were deported from Sribhumi and South Salmara districts.

The drive reignited the state's volatile debate over immigration and identity.

"Alert eyes, swift action. 36 illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators have been pushed back to Bangladesh from Sribhumi and South Salmara. These illegal infiltrators change our demography and infringe upon the rights of the indigenous and will be pushed back to where they belong," Sarma posted on X.

The announcement came just days after activist and former Planning Commission member Syeda Saiyidain Hameed questioned Assam's approach.

"Alhamdulillah! What is wrong if they are Bangladeshis? Bangladeshis are also ...