Bhubaneswar: As the Odisha government intensifies its crackdown against suspected Bangladeshi infiltrators in several districts, State Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Tuesday issued a clear message, stating that all illegal immigrants will be deported.
Harichandan’s statement comes after the demolition of a house harboring suspected Bangladeshi nationals in Jagatsinghpur and subsequent coordinated raids by the Odisha Police in several districts. The Law Minister said that, following the central government’s directives, the Odisha government has begun identifying Bangladeshi immigrants living illegally in Odisha.
He said, “The process of identifying Bangladeshis has begun. The government’s stance is strict and this process will continue.” Harichandan emphasized, “Once identified, all infiltrators will be deported. Our focus is on tightening security in the state. We are closely monitoring the coastal areas. We will take legal action and evict all illegal immigrants.”
According to officials, police conducted simultaneous raids throughout the day on Tuesday in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, and Puri districts. They reported that 17 people were detained in Bhadrak, while Jagatsinghpur district police arrested four and interrogated several others after recovering weapons, including a pistol, from a house demolished on Monday. Around 20 people living in rented houses in the Rahma area of the Tirtol police station area were questioned about their identity, the nature of their occupation, and the duration of their stay in Odisha.
Officials in Kendrapara and Balasore said the raids were being conducted in phases. Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh said that following reports of some suspects escaping during the Jagatsinghpur raid, all police stations have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance. Singh said, “We have instructed all police stations in Puri district to identify suspected Bangladeshi infiltrators. However, no one has been identified as of Tuesday evening.”
Meanwhile, a bandh called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Keonjhar on Tuesday, demanding the immediate eviction of alleged infiltrators, affected shops, markets, schools, colleges, and traffic in several towns, including Champua, Joda, and Barbil. Police said vehicles were stranded on National Highway 20 at several locations due to protests, but no untoward incidents were reported. Western Range Inspector General of Police Brijesh Rai described the bandh as peaceful and said police were vigilant and investigating allegations of infiltrators living in the district. He visited Keonjhar.
