Infiltration Of Bangladeshi Nationals: Odisha Govt Alerts Coastal Districts

Bhubaneswar: With about 40 lakh Bangladeshi nationals excluded from the National Register of Citizen (NRC) list in Assam, the Odisha government has alerted the Superintendents of Police and the Marine Police of the coastal districts to stay on high alert to foil their infiltration into the state.

Since thousands of Bangladeshi nationals have illegally settled in the coastal districts, there is a possibility of infiltration of the Bangladeshi oustees from Assam with their help. Taking this factor into consideration, instructions have been given to the Coast Guard and the Marine Police to intensify patrolling along the coastal belts to keep a close watch on the movement of the Bangladeshi nationals in boats and trawlers.

While official reports say that about 3700 Bangladeshi nationals are presently staying in the coastal districts, experts say their number could be more than 20 lakh.

Office-bearers of Bharat Raksha Manch had a press meet in the city on this issue here on Friday afternoon where they released the details of the letter written to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Speaking on the occasion, convener of the Manch, Dr Murali Manohar Sharma, said that Odisha has been one of the most vulnerable states for illegal immigrants. With its long porous coastline, the state has become a safe haven for illegal Bangladeshis.

He said with the release of the final draft of the Assam NRC, the possibility of influx of ousted Bangladeshis to Odisha looms large. Keeping this in view, the state government should step up appropriate measures to stop the huge influx.

National Secretary of the Manch, Anil Dhir, said while other states have started taking measures to ensure that the ousted Bangladeshis do not infiltrate their regions, the Odisha government has to take similar measures.

“The unchecked infiltration in the state that has been going on for years has resulted in a spurt in the crime rate and anti-national activities especially in the coastal regions which have all been sidelined by the state administration,” he pointed out.

Dhir further said that the Manch, in its letter to the Chief Minister, has urged him for immediate implementation of its agenda which are as follows:

— Request the Registrar General of India to initiate the process of conducting NRC in Odisha
— Activate Marine police stations in the state

— Issuance of biometric card to all marine fishermen who venture into the sea.
— Make a list of the Madrasas that have come up in the last decade and keep a close eye on their activities

— Direct the district collectors and SPs to make a list of the slums, ghettoes, paras and localities where there is a concentration of Bangladeshi immigrants.
— Monitor Community Radio Services in the coastal regions. The Kendrapada Police had detected and destroyed eight private radio stations a few years ago.
— Deportation of 3987 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from the state.
— Put up check points at the borders and re-examination of Voter ID cards, Aadhar cards, ration cards, PAN cards, passports etc issued in West Bengal.

—Agencies issuing ID cards, including Passport Seva Kendras should be asked to be extra vigilant in the issuance of such proof.
—Creation of a special task force comprising retired personnel from the Central para-military forces for the detection of illegal immigrants.
—A thorough check of all private security agencies.
—Public awareness campaign to ask the citizens to keep watch and inform the police about any strangers and unnatural activities in their areas.