Bhubaneswar: In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir, the Odisha Government has announced its decision to remove the names of foreign infiltrators who have illegally obtained ration cards.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krsuhna Chandra Patra informed the Media, “We have asked all Collectors to identify the foreign nationals from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar who have availed ration cards after infiltrating Odisha. We will remove it from the system.”
Minister Shri Patra stated that the exact number of foreign infiltrators who have become Public Distribution System (PDS) beneficiaries through political influence or illegal means will be determined upon completion of the identification process.
According to data presented by the government in the State Legislative Assembly, 3,738 Bangladeshi infiltrators have been identified in Odisha. The highest number, 1,649, were found in Kendrapara, followed by 1,112 in Jagatsinghpur, 655 in Malkangiri, 199 in Bhadrak, 106 in Nabarangpur, and 17 in Bhubaneswar.
The State Government had previously directed all Collectors and Superintendents of Police (SPs) to form teams comprising officials from tehsil, block, and police departments to identify Bangladeshi infiltrators across the state and facilitate their return to their respective countries.
Director General of Police YB Khurania also reported that 12 Pakistani nationals have been residing in Odisha, with one having already departed for Pakistan following a “Quit India” notice.