Guwahati, 08 July (HS): Assam Accord Implementation Minister Atul Bora informed the Assam Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that the India-Bangladesh international border in Assam stretches for 267 km, of which 38.959 km remains unfenced due to difficult hilly terrain and riverine areas. He said fencing has been completed along the remaining sections of the border.

Replying to a question by BJP MLA Prakash Chandra Das during the Budget Session, Bora said most clauses of the Assam Accord have already been implemented, while the Centre and the State Government continue to work on the remaining provisions.

The minister said that based on the recommendations of the Biplab Sharma Commission constituted for the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, several meetings have been held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister with concerned departments and the All Assam Students' Union (AASU). Of the Commission's 67 recommendations, the State Government has decided to implement 52 and work on the proposals announced in the 2025-26 Budget is being expedited.

Bora explained that 40 recommendations can be implemented solely by the State Government, 12 require joint action by the Centre and the State, while the remaining 15 fall under the Centre's jurisdiction. The State Government, he added, is in regular contact with the Centre to ensure their implementation.

On measures to prevent illegal infiltration, the minister said the international border covers 98.30 km in Sribhumi district, 27 km in Cachar and 141 km in Dhubri. He said the BSF has strengthened surveillance through border outposts, river patrol boats, watchtowers, CCTV cameras, floodlights and the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS). Illegal infiltrators, he added, are also being pushed back.

The discussion on illegal infiltration witnessed heated exchanges in the House. Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi questioned the minister and engaged in a verbal argument. Despite repeated instructions from the Speaker to take his seat, Gogoi continued to interrupt proceedings. The Speaker remarked that if any member did not wish to hear the minister's reply, they were free to leave the House. Following the remarks, Gogoi walked out of the Assembly and later criticised the proceedings while speaking to the media.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash