Illegal Immigrants / Odisha Govt Intensifies Drive Against Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants

Bhubaneswar, Sep 28: The Odisha Government has stepped up efforts to identify and deport suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, with special task forces operating across districts and a State-level monitoring mechanism overseeing the exercise.

In a written reply to a question by MLA Manas Kumar Dutta in the State Assembly, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday said the government had issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for identifying, detaining and deporting illegal immigrants.

The Chief Minister said special task forces had been constituted in all districts in accordance with directives issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Superintendents of Police-cum-Foreigners Registration Officers (SP-cum-FROs) have also been instructed to take necessary action.

The government has established 20 temporary detention centres across the State, including two in Bhubaneswar and 18 in other districts, to accommodate suspected illegal immigrants during verification and deportation proceedings.

The Chief Minister informed that a total of 2267 suspected illegal immigrants have been identified so far. Of these, 2184 have been identified as Indian citizens following verification. As many as 83 people have been identified as Bangladeshi nationals and detained.

Meanwhile, the government has also identified 90 foreign nationals, including 88 Bangladeshis and two Nigerians, during the ongoing exercise.

To facilitate the deportation process, the State Government has directed district authorities to coordinate with the Bangladesh High Commission and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It has also sought assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs for verification of nationality and issuance of travel documents.

The government has instructed district authorities to use digital financial transaction platforms, including bKash, Nagad, Prothom Alo and Kotha, as potential leads during investigations. Officials have been asked to examine suspicious transactions and communication patterns to identify undocumented foreign nationals.

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The Chief Minister said the government was coordinating with Central agencies and other States to strengthen surveillance and ensure the effective implementation of immigration laws.

A State-level monitoring team has been constituted to supervise the identification and deportation process. The government has also directed district administrations to maintain regular coordination with police and intelligence agencies.

The exercise is being undertaken in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the Chief Minister informed the Assembly.