Youth and student organizations in the oil, tea, and coal-rich districts of upper Assam have heightened their opposition to ‘Miya Muslims,’ migrants of Bangladeshi origin, amid ongoing government-led evictions in the state. On Tuesday, members of the All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (Atasu) intercepted a group of 16 Miya Muslims near the ASTC bus stand in Tinsukia. The individuals, hailing from Barpeta, Dhubri, and South Salmara Mankachar districts, were reportedly traveling to Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Tinsukia to work as masons or laborers. However, Atasu president Milan Buragohain accused them of attempting to occupy government and forest lands in upper Assam. The activists forcefully redirected the migrants back to lower Assam, reflecting escalating regional tensions.
Buragohain remarked that while the migrants could name their villages, they struggled to provide specific details about their neighbors or local councils. He labeled them suspected illegal migrants, asserting that their goal was to encroach upon government and forest territories. Atasu recently issued a month’s notice to around 50 families identified as ‘suspected citizens’ in Molang, situated near the coal-rich Margherita in Tinsukia district. Buragohain alleged that these individuals, originating from Bangladesh, are involved in a plot to change the demographics of upper Assam.
Despite the ongoing presence of Miya Muslims working across the region, Shringkhal Chaliha, a leader from the Bir Lachit Sena youth organization, has called for the removal of Miya Muslims from upper Assam. Meanwhile, Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi criticized the BJP-led government’s role in fostering communal tensions and encouraged residents to avoid conflicts between Hindus and Muslims incited by a few misguided youths. Gogoi accused some regional student and youth groups of undermining peace for political gain ahead of the upcoming 2026 elections.
Recently, a group of laborers from Hojai reported receiving threats from local youth organizations, accompanied by a 24-hour ultimatum to vacate upper Assam. An unidentified leader from a regional group threatened, “You Miya Muslims, you have 24 hours to leave Sivasagar. If you do not comply, I will make your life miserable.” The situation remains uncertain regarding the Miya laborers, but the incident has raised alarms in Sivasagar and surrounding areas. Responding to these tensions, Sivasagar Senior Superintendent of Police Subhrajyoti Borah stated, “No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. We have implemented necessary measures and will act in accordance with the law.”
While multiple organizations are issuing warnings to Miya Muslims, authorities indicated that these omens stem from various collective groups. Sources suggest that the Sivasagar district administration is contemplating a formal verification process to identify suspected citizens.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/heat-on-miya-muslims-in-upper-assam-following-evictions/articleshow/123125256.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-08-06 04:12:00
