Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday flagged his concern over the possibility of Northeast insurgent groups finding a “safe haven” in turmoil-hit Bangladesh “once again”.

In a post on X, Sarma said the developments in the neighbouring country, which led to widespread anti-government protests resulting in the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, should be of concern to the Northeast over issues related to influx and insurgency.

He said insurgency was contained in the Northeast with the support of the ousted Hasina government and he was confident the incoming dispensation will continue to provide support to curb insurgency in the region.

In a video posted by him, Sarma elaborated his concern, “The incident that has taken place in Bangladesh is of concern to us from two angles. One is, if this unrest continues in Bangladesh, then some people will be forced to come to India. As such, we have to secure our borders.”

He then added, “During Sheikh Hasina’s time, all insurgent groups from the Northeast were removed from Bangladesh. For us, it will always remain a matter of concern — that Bangladesh does not become a safe haven for insurgents from the Northeast once again.”

“I am confident the Indian government will continue to engage with whichever dispensation takes charge and will keep in mind the Northeast’s concern. We have faith in our Prime Minister’s leadership and are sure he will ensure Northeast insurgents do not find a safe haven for the second time there (Bangladesh) during talks with the new dispensation,” he says in the video.

Observers said the support extended from the ousted pro-India Hasina government had seen India check the activities of leading militant groups from Assam such as the ULFA and the NDFB. While a faction of the Ulfa is engaged in a peace process with the Centre, the NDFB got disbanded in 2020, 34 years after its formation.

It has also led to the withdrawal of the Afspa from most districts of Assam and the Northeast.

The observers said Bangladesh security forces started acting against rebel groups after Hasina’s Awami League formed the government in 2009 for the second time.