Odisha Releases 25 After Verifying Documents As Politics Heats Up Over Illegal Immigrants

Jharsuguda: Even as the crackdown on the alleged illegal settlers in Odisha sparked a political row with TMC voicing its stiff opposition, 25 of the 444 suspected Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas detained in Jharsuguda, were released by police on Wednesday evening after confirming their Indian nationality.

The 444 individuals — reportedly from West Bengal’s Nadia, Murshidabad, Malda, Purba Medinipur, Birbhum, Purba Bardhaman, and South 24 Parganas — were rounded up during raids in colonies where Bengali-speaking labourers reside, and shifted to holding centres at Black Diamond College of Engineering and Technology in Jharsuguda sub-division and Surabhi Kalyan Mandap in Brajrajnagar sub-division on Monday night. Many of them had been living here for a long time and working in industries, mines, or as masons and house painters.

Police said that the verification of the remaining 419 persons was currently underway and further action will be initiated accordingly.

While responding TMC MP from Krishnanagar Mahua Moitra’s concern over alleged illegal detention of 23 workers from her constituency’s Mirzapur village in Panighata GP in Nadia district despite having valid Aadhaar and voter ID cards, IG (Northern Range) Himanshu Lal on Wednesday asserted that procedure is aimed at maintaining the rule of law and ensuring national security and no specific community or region is being targeted.

Also Read: Odisha Northern Range IG Responds To Mahua Moitra’s ‘Threat’ Message Over Detention Of ‘Illegal’ Settlers

According to police, the verification is being conducted meticulously by senior officials via a JIT (Joint Investigation Team), with multiple layers of scrutiny to ensure no Indian citizen is wrongfully detained or harassed. Every effort is made to uphold the rights of Indian citizens while maintaining the integrity of the process.

Later in the evening, the TMC MP shared a list of bonafide residents from her area detained in Jharsuguda, seeking their immediate release.

However, the BJP objected to Mahua’s tone in the video, which she posted on social media platform X, in which she threatened to file 23 habeas corpus petitions in every court in the country if they are not released immediately. She further warned of repercussions: “Fifty percent of Odisha’s tourism revenue comes from Bengali tourists. They are the ones who stay in your hotels, eat at your restaurants, visit your pilgrimage sites. What if Bengali tourists stop going to Odisha?”

Strongly defending the government’s action, Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy slammed Mahua for acting as the Opposition BJD’s mouthpiece as she alleged that Bengali-speaking workers are being targeted in Odisha after the BJP came to power, which was not a case during the 24-year of Naveen Patnaik regime. “What Mahua Moitra has said is the most unfortunate and shameful thing. India belongs to Indians only. Neither India nor Odisha is a dharamshala where anyone can come, stay unlawfully, and carry out anti-social or criminal activities. Action will be taken against those residing here illegally, as per the directives of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Those who have valid proof of citizenship will be spared, but those without any documentation will face legal action,” he said.

Taking a swipe at Mahua, Tankadhar said that it seems the BJD is voicing its concerns through its new daughter-in-law. “The BJD should also clarify its opinion on this matter: whether foreigners should be allowed to stay here illegally or not…,” he added.