Modi promises to deport ‘Bangladeshi migrants’ from Assam

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to take steps to “chase out Bangladeshi illegal immigrants” from Assam while reiterating that there will be no ‘compromise’ on the state’s security.

"I am aware of the problems of Assam and there will be no compromise on safety," Modi, on a two-day visit to Guwahati, told a public rally on Sunday.

“I understand the sentiments of Assamese people. I will take steps so that Bangladeshis, who infiltrate into Assam and trouble you, are pushed out.

“I left home to serve my motherland. And the land of Assam is also my mother.”

Modi, however, pitched for the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh saying the land swap deal would benefit Assam in the long run.

The prime minister said he would use the deal to stop “illegal infiltration into Assam from Bangladesh”.

"It may seem a loss for Assam but I will make such arrangements that it benefits Assam in the long run," he said.

Modi assured people that he would fulfil every promise he had made in New Delhi before formation of the BJP-led government.

Deportation of illegal migrants from Bangladesh was one of the pre-poll promises of the BJP.

Earlier, participating in the National Police Chiefs' Conference, Modi emphasised strengthening the country’s intelligence network saying if it was strong there would be no need for arms and ammunition.

He said efficient coordination between police forces and intelligence agencies was essential to keep the country secure.

“The country which has strong intelligence network does not need any arms and ammunition. So, it is very important to have a very efficient intelligence network,” he said.

On Saturday, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh had harped on the threat posed by Islamist terror groups like al Qaeda and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in the conference.

By stressing the need for strengthening intelligence agencies, Modi also alerted people to the threat from jihadi elements.

The prime minister said taking this conference out of Delhi would bring more focus to the main agenda at hand, besides increasing the morale of police forces in the North-East.

In the conference he also called for the creation of a "SMART" police force: a police that is strict yet sensitive; modern and mobile; alert and accountable; reliable and responsive; techno-savvy and trained.

The police force should inculcate these values to ensure best policing, which would go a long way in improving its image and work culture, he added.