Bhubaneswar, May 29 (PTI) The Odisha government has alerted districts sharing border with West Bengal about the possible influx of Bangladeshi infiltrators from the neighbouring state, as the Suvendu Adhikari administration has adopted the “detect, delete and deport” policy.
The Odisha government’s directives to the authorities of Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts bordering West Bengal were issued after a large number of Bangladeshi nationals were seen gathering at the Hakimpur checkpoint in North 24 Parganas district’s Basirhat sub-division.
“Since the suspected Bangladeshi infiltrators have started movement within West Bengal, there is a possibility of their entry into Odisha. Therefore, we are on alert and taking required measures to prevent any such move,” DIG (Eastern Range), Pinak Mishra said.
Stating that surveillance has been intensified along the Odisha-West Bengal border to prevent any possible illegal movement into the state, the DIG said 10 police stations, two of which have been identified as “vulnerable” places through which the infiltrators could enter Odisha. These two police stations are on high alert in this regard, the officer said.
Mishra said that, as such, there is a standing instruction from the Centre to detect and deport infiltrators according to law from Indian soil, and we are acting accordingly. The state government has already undertaken special drive in districts, especially in bordering districts.
The documents procured from the suspected persons were sent for verification to some districts of West Bengal earlier. But the concerned district administrations of Bengal have not yet responded satisfactorily.
Balasore and Mayurbhanj are the two districts which directly share a border with West Bengal. While Bhograi and Jaleswar blocks of Balasore district touch West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, and Jhargram districts, Mayurbhanj district shares a portion of its eastern boundary with the Paschim Medinipur district.
Asked about the possibility of infiltrators’ entry through water routes, the DIG said marine police stations in the state are also alert on this matter. “We have augmented infrastructure in marine police stations, and they are regularly conducting patrolling in water routes. Information-based patrolling is also being conducted,” Mishra said.
This apart, the marine police stations in Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Jagatsinghpur districts, which do not share a border with Bengal, are also asked to remain vigilant on the possible influx of infiltrators, the DIG said.
Kendrapara district’s Jambu Marine Police station inspector in charge, Anita Swain, said, “We have launched intensive checking even far away from the coast based on intelligence input. Night patrols are being conducted 30–50 nautical miles into the sea. Boats carrying people and passing through the sea border are being checked for fishing cards, Aadhaar cards, and other identity documents. Those without valid IDs are being handed over to the police station.” Meanwhile, a slugfest began between the ruling BJP and the opposition BJD over the Bangladeshi infiltrators in Odisha. While Odisha’s Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan noted that infiltrators are a major problem for the state and the state government has already initiated a drive for their identification and deportation, BJD leader Ganeshswar Behera rejected it.
“Infiltrators are not all an issue in Odisha. Things are different in West Bengal, while the number of infiltrators is in lakhs. In Odisha, their number is below 150. Of the 4.5 crore population, the infiltrators may be 150. It is a very minor issue, but the state government is making a mountain out of a molehill to gain publicity,” Behera, who represents coastal Kendrapara district in the Assembly, said.
However, Harichandan issued a warning that there is “no escape” for infiltrators found residing illegally in Odisha. “We are committed to deporting unauthorised foreign nationals living in the state,” he said. PTI AAM AAM RG
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