In Assam, Bengali-speaking Muslims known as Miya Muslims are expressing deep anxiety over the state’s ongoing voter list revision process, fearing their names may be excluded and their citizenship questioned. Many, including Fazila Khatun and Minara Begum, were displaced after government eviction drives in forest areas such as Lutumari and Jamuna-Maudanga, where authorities reclaimed thousands of bighas of land. These families, now living in makeshift shelters, have received notices to attend hearings under the Election Commission’s special revision process, which coincides with the publication of the final voter list on February 10.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has repeatedly made hostile remarks toward Miya Muslims, calling for their harassment and linking them to suspected illegal citizenship. His statements have heightened fear among the community, who question why they are being targeted despite being Indian citizens. Local officials, however, insist the revision is a legal procedure meant to update addresses and not to delete names intentionally.

District authorities in Hojai say over 1,700 families displaced by evictions have already submitted forms to update their addresses to retain their voter registration.