Kokrajhar, July 8 -- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday strongly defended the ongoing eviction drive in parts of the state, reiterating the government's commitment to removing what he termed as "illegal Bangladeshis".

Interacting with media in Kokrajhar, CM Sarma said, "Some people from Karimganj, Dhubri, Chappar, and Silchar are going and settling in Lakhimpur. They have been evicted to protect the freedom and land rights of the local people of Lakhimpur."

He further stated that the BJP government's eviction campaign will not be halted under political pressure. "If anyone has a problem with the removal of 350 illegal Bangladeshis, they will have to bear it. Many people have been martyred in the past in the fight to driv...