Assam Chief Minister Biswa Sarma on Monday urged industrialists in Mumbai to refrain from employing illegal Bangladeshi immigrants as "cheap labour" in their factories. Speaking at a press conference following meetings with leaders from major corporate groups, including the Tatas, Adani, and Mahindra, Sarma emphasized the need to address the root causes of illegal migration from Bangladesh.

He pointed out that some industries are incentivizing this migration by hiring middlemen to recruit low-cost labour from Bangladesh. Sarma stressed that the industry must resist the temptation to employ these workers, despite the lower costs, to curb the influx of undocumented migrants.

Highlighting the issue, Sarma noted that many labourers from Bangladesh's textile sector, predominantly from the country's majority community, are being drawn to India. He warned that the rise in illegal immigration, particularly following political unrest in Bangladesh, could exacerbate law and order challenges and pose security risks, especially in cities like Mumbai.