From Farmland to Wasteland: A Study of Out-migration

This paper is based on the findings from the field survey conducted in Barpeta and Lucknow between June 2017 and May 2018. The objective is to know the reasons and background of migration of approximately more than 90,000 people who have been migrating from Barpeta to Lucknow for last two decades. All are Bengali Muslims (of East Bengal origin) coming from Lower Assam who are called Miya Muslims. In order to analyse the objectives and test the hypotheses, the logistic model has been used. The results indicate that income prospects and ownership of land in Assam are important variables among other variables to decide the course of out-migration. The study group in discussion is often perceived as illegal immigrants entering Assam from bordering Bangladesh and is labelled as Bangladeshis in and outside Assam. There is an urgent need for state intervention to improve their condition and recognize them in the mainstream development policies.