No Influx Of Bangladeshi Into Odisha Via Sea Route, Those Staying Illegally To Be Identified Soon: Minister

Bhubaneswar: Besides stepping up vigil along its 480-km coastline to prevent influx of people from turmoil-hit Bangladesh, the Odisha government has also intensified verification of Bangladeshi immigrants living in the state.

Speaking to the media, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Sunday that strict action will be taken against any immigrant found without proper documentation. “Though illegal migration continues to be a concern, those who have come as refugees can be included in the process for getting Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 (CAA). But there are those who infiltrate through the borders areas in West Bengal and also arrive here directly in boats. The process to identify such illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, who have settled here and are engaged in various economic activities without any valid documents like visa and work permit will be conducted soon. After a thorough verification, arrangement will be made for repatriation of any immigrants living in Odisha illegally,” he said.

The Minister added that there has been no report of an influx of Bangladeshis into the coastal state through the sea route after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed the marine police and the Coast Guard to intensify patrolling along the coast amid the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh.

False Alarm?

Earlier in the day, locals of Basudevpur in Bhadrak district intercepted six suspected Bangladeshi nationals, travelling in an autorickshaw, and handed them over to police. Another youth was also detained by locals at Nalabanki Chhak under Naikanidihi police limits in the district.

Investigation, however, revealed that the six men – Mohammad Nizarat, Mohammad Abdullah, Mohammad Haim, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Salim, and Mohammad Alam – had come from Bihar to beg. Native of Azampur village in Azamgarh police station area of Katihar district, the group had arrived in Bhadrak by train five days ago and had been begging in the area.

Basudevpur police have contacted their counterparts in Azamgarh to verify the information provided by the suspects.

Three-Tier Security

Three-tier security is being maintained along the coastline by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Odisha Marine Police. While the first five nautical miles are being guarded by Odisha’s Marine Police, the waters between 5 nautical miles and the country’s maritime border at 80 km from the coast is being manned by the Coast Guard. The Indian Navy is also monitoring and patrolling in international waters, a police officer said.

Patrolling has been intensified to maintain security and vigil along our coastal borders in the light of recent developments following the state government’s alert, the Odisha Police posted on X.

Bangladeshi Settlers & Infiltrators In Odisha

The information tabled in the Assembly last year mentions about 1,57,432 Bangladeshi settlers in 11 districts and 3,740 infiltrators in seven districts.

Among the illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, 1,649 are in Kendrapada, 1,112 in Jagatsinghpur, 655 in Malkangiri , 199 in Bhadrak, 106 in Nabarangpur and only 17 in Khurda (Bhubaneswar).

The highest 1,04,233 refugees are settled in Malkangiri district, followed by 46,848 in Nabarangpur, 4,653 in Khurda, 441 in Kendrapara, 379 in Jajpur, 304 in Rayagada, 200 in Bhadrak, 194 in Koraput, 90 in Kalahandi, 75 in Balasore and 15 in Angul.