With the possibility of the involvement of a Bangladeshi terrorist group in last Tuesday’s serial bomb blasts in Jaipur killing over 60 and injuring hundreds, the possibility of taking stern actions against the illegal Bangladeshi migrants is fast emerging. Senior members of the Rajasthan Government have announced that the estimated 50,000 Bangladeshi migrants illegally living in the slums in Jaipur would be questioned, and if they failed to provide any acceptable explanation about staying in India, would be deported to Bangladesh.

The problem of Bangladeshi infiltration is largely economic in nature. However, concealed within the large number of poor Bangladeshis, who work as cheap laborers and domestic helps in Indian cities, are a large number of anti-national elements. According to a recent observation made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, counterfeit notes are in large circulation along the India-Bangladesh border. Illegal migrants are able to obtain ration cards, driving licenses, voter identity cards and even PAN cards. Terrorist groups are recruiting Bangladeshis to spread violence in India.

The Central Government had instructed the states to take sustained action to detect foreign nationals, including Bangladeshis illegally staying in the country. Unfortunately, a porous border and a corrupt surveillance mechanism have made the task of preventing illegal migration difficult.

Source: The Australian
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