Odisha launches state-wide crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants
By Dr Arun Nayak
Bhubaneswar, May 20 : The Odisha government has launched a state-wide crackdown to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing within the state. Describing the operation as “firm and non-negotiable,” law minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Monday confirmed that no foreign national without valid documentation will be permitted to stay in Odisha.
Addressing the media, Harichandan said preliminary consultations have been held with engineering departments and other administrative wings to streamline the identification process. Special attention is being given to sectors employing migrant labourers, with agencies tasked with verifying the identity and nationality of individuals suspected of residing illegally.
“The government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach. No foreign national without legal status will be allowed to remain in the state. The identification process has already commenced and will be meticulously executed across all districts,” the Minister asserted.
In a decisive move, the state has appointed the Special Task Force (STF) as the nodal agency to spearhead and coordinate the mission. The STF is working in close coordination with district administrations, coastal security forces, and other enforcement units to ensure a thorough and efficient operation.
Coastal districts such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Ganjam have been flagged as areas of concern, where illegal settlements of Bangladeshi nationals have reportedly increased in recent years. Large-scale verification drives are underway in these regions to detect and document undocumented immigrants.
“Odisha cannot become a sanctuary for those entering the country unlawfully. Apart from breaching national laws, such individuals may pose security risks and disrupt social harmony,” an expert on internal security commented.
The government has directed district magistrates, local administrative heads, and coastal protection agencies to extend full cooperation to the STF, providing necessary manpower and logistical support. Officials emphasized that the entire identification exercise would be completed within a fixed timeframe, after which deportation proceedings will begin under the Foreigners Act and other applicable laws.
STF DIG (Special Task Force Deputy Inspector General) Pinak Mishra noted, “Given Odisha’s proximity to West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh, we are maintaining strict vigilance against possible infiltration by road and water routes.”
