August 11th 2024.
The Law Minister of Odisha, Prithiviraj Harichandan, confidently stated that there have been no reports of an increase in Bangladeshi immigrants entering the state through the sea route, despite the unrest in their neighboring country. He assured that any Bangladeshis found to be residing in Odisha illegally will be identified and sent back to their home country.
To ensure the safety and security of the coastline, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Odisha Marine Police are working together to maintain a three-tier security system. When asked about the possibility of an influx from Bangladesh, Harichandan informed the media that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has already instructed the Coast Guard and Marine Police to patrol the coastline and prevent any illegal entries.
Harichandan also clarified that there have been no recent reports of such illegal entries after the political turmoil in Bangladesh. He acknowledged that there are some Bangladeshi immigrants who have been living in Odisha for a long time, but the state government will verify their documents, such as visas and work permits, to ensure their legal status. Those found to be residing in the state without proper documentation will be sent back to their country.
The Odisha Police revealed that they have implemented a strict three-tier security system along the 480-km-long coastline. The first five nautical miles are being guarded by the Marine Police of Odisha, while the Coast Guard is responsible for the waters between 5 nautical miles and the country's maritime border, which is 80 km from the coast. Additionally, the Indian Navy is monitoring and patrolling in international waters.
According to government sources, there have been a total of 3,740 identified illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in seven districts of Odisha. The majority of them, 1,649, are in Kendrapara, followed by 1,112 in Jagatsinghpur and 655 in Malkangiri.
Overall, the state government is taking necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of its coastline and prevent any illegal entries. They are also actively working towards identifying and repatriating any illegal immigrants already residing in the state.
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