Bhubaneswar: Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Odisha Government has announced a crackdown on foreign infiltrators, with plans to deport Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in the state.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan addressed journalists today, stating that the Government is awaiting instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the deportation of 11 Pakistani nationals who have been served notices but have not yet left. “We are waiting for the instruction of the Ministry of Home Affairs for further action on them. As soon as the MHA order arrives, we will act accordingly,” Shri Harichandan said.
The Law Minister further added that after the Pakistani nationals are deported, the state government will begin the process of identifying and deporting Bangladeshi infiltrators. Harichandan acknowledged the presence of a significant number of Bangladeshi infiltrators illegally residing in various parts of Odisha, including Bhubaneswar. He said that many claim to be natives of West Bengal.
“The Chief Minister himself is fully concerned about the Bangladeshi infiltrators and also issued instructions for their departure,” the Minister stated.
Yesterday, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announced that all Collectors have been directed to identify foreign nationals from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar who have obtained ration cards illegally. The government plans to remove these individuals from the ration card scheme.
According to data presented in the State Legislative Assembly, a total of 3,738 Bangladeshi infiltrators have been identified in Odisha. The highest concentration of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants is in Kendrapara (1,649), followed by Jagatsinghpur (1,112), Malkangiri (655), Bhadrak (199), Nabarangpur (106), and Bhubaneswar (17).
The State Government had previously instructed 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 deportation.