The Bharat Raksha Manch held a press meet and released details of the letter written to the Chief Minister of Odisha in the matter of the NRC and its implications it has for Odisha.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Murali Manohar Sharma said that Odisha has been, and remains, one of the most vulnerable States for illegal immigrants. With its long porous coastline, it has been the favourite spot for these illegal Bangladeshis. When the final draft of the NRC is released, the possibility of influx of persons who will not figure looms large. The State should be prepared and put into place measures to tackle the huge influx.
Anil Dhir, the National Secretary of the Manch said that other States have started taking measures to ensure that those left out of the Assam Draft do not infiltrate their regions. Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura and Meghalaya have put alerts in their borders.
The large unchecked infiltration in the State that has been going on for years has developed into a whole impenetrable network. The profusion of Madrasas and Mosques that have sprouted all over the State, especially in the coastal regions, the increased crime rates, anti-national activities etc. have all been sidelined by the administration.
The following ten point agenda has been given to the CM for immediate implementation:
- Start the process of conducting the NRC in Odisha. The State should request the Registrar General of India to initiate the process of starring the exercise in the State.
- Activate and make effective the Marine Police Stations in the State. All of them are defunct with no cases of infiltration being reported till date. The costly and precious equipment has either rotted or is lying disused.
- As most of the illegal elements come from the sea route, the government should immediately restart the Biometric Card issuance to all fisher folk who venture into the sea. The administration had started the process and left it halfway.
- Make a list of the Madrasas that have come up in the last decade and keep a close eye on their activities.
- Ask the District Collectors and Superintendents of Police to make Thana wise listing of the bastis, ghettoes, paras, localities where the concentration of Bangladeshi immigrants is there. The district administration should keep a close watch on their activities.
- Monitor the community Radio Services that have been set up in the coastal regions. The Kendrapada Police had detected and destroyed eight private radio stations a few years ago.
- The Chief Minister had, in 2015, declared on the floor of the house that 3987 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were present in the State. Steps should be taken for their deportation.
- Put up check points at the borders for preventing entry of illegal Bangladeshis. The Voter ID Cards, Adhar Cards, Ration Cards, Pan Cards, Passports etc., especially those issued in West Bengal should be reexamined.
- All agencies issuing ID Cards, including the Passport Seva Kendras should be asked to be extra vigilant in issuance of such proof.
- A special task force should be created for the detection of these illegal immigrants. Retired personnel from the Para Military forces should be indicted as they have the necessary experience from their border duties.
- Many of these illegal immigrants are employed as Private Security Guards, even in vital government installations and offices. A through check on all private security agencies should be immediately made.
- A Public awareness campaign should be launched in the interest of national and the State’s security where ordinary citizens should be asked to keep watch and inform the police about any strangers and unnatural activities in their areas.