Illegal Migration of Bangladeshis in NE, Centre Ignoring Report
The Government of India is sitting over a crucial report by an officer of the IntelligenceBureau (IB) on the problem of illegal migration of Bangladeshi nationals to India despite the fact that the report also highlighted the fact that the migration can create an environment which is politically sensitive and can make the NorthEast region vulnerable from the security point of view.
RN Ravi, who recently retired as Special Director of the IB, carried out the study onillegal migration to Assam and Nagaland when he was posted as Joint Director of the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in Guwahati in 2006. The gist of the report wassubmitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) immediately. But unfortunately, the Government is still sitting over the report without initiating any action on the same.
During the six month study, it was found that at one point of time, the migrants came to Assam and Nagaland for land but over the years the trend changed. The study revealed that as the land is more or less saturated, themigrants started coming for economic reasons following all round economic development and a good number of migrants came to work in the construction sites.
The study further revealed that most of the migrants, who are poor people, are not coming into India with a political motive in mind, but the migration is creating anenvironment which can be manipulated bypeople with vested interest and make the region vulnerable to security threats.
Ravi said that he is ready to face any debate on the methodology used for the study and in fact, I believe that there should be a debate on the issue. He said that over the years, the census data has been interpreted and re-interpreted by people to strike their point home on the issue of illegal migration , while, people are also giving their own viewson the issue without conducting a ground survey. He said that following a meeting on the implementation of Assam Accord in 2006,which was chaired by the then Home Minister Shivraj Patil, he decided to carry out a detailed study in the states of Assam and Nagaland and during the study, it was found that migration is not a thing of the past as claimed by certain circles. He said that the migration from Bangladesh is still taking place and the only change is that the reason for the migration has changed.
Ravi said that the finding of the study was brought to the notice of the MHA immediately and later also, the MHA was informed of the same. In fact, the gist of the study was submitted to the MHA, but no action has been initiated so far. Ravi also admitted that there is need for conducting detailed studies in other states of the North East also to know about the volume and dangers of migration from Bangladesh.
Many Illegal Immigrants Detected in Nagaland
Many illegal immigrants have been reportedlydetected by Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) during a verification of documents regarding citizenship proof which was carried out today. According to KVYO, the drive was carried out with an aim to check various crimes committed by illegal immigrants under the village jurisdiction particularly by the illegal Muslim immigrants from neighbouring country Bangladesh.
“We are taking utmost care not to harass thegenuine Indian citizen, but in the process of the drive which was carried out with the full support and assistance of the Muslim WelfareSociety, Kohima (MWSK) today, it was found that there are some transporters who are in possession of fake and forged ILP, though it is subjected to confirmation”, KVYO official said.
The drive was carried out based on two categories which include those Muslims whodo not possess the ID card issued by the Muslim Welfare Society, Kohima and those who do not possess the mandatory ILP to enter Nagaland. KVYO said many among those detected today includes those who didnot possess even the ILP and they will be handed over to the administration for necessary action and deportation, KVYO sad.
Earlier, KVYO asked the Muslim Welfare Society, Kohima to identify genuine Indian Muslim and illegal immigrants from neighbouring country Bangladesh as they are the right organization to identify the genuine Indian Muslim and illegal immigrants.
In this regard, the MWSK had issued ID card to those genuine Muslim settling in Kohima.
Meanwhile, KVYO clarified that it had carried out the drive which was not sanctioned by the state government but purely to check unwanted crimes committed by illegal immigrants that are taking place within KVYOjurisdiction. Meanwhile sources informed that more than 100+ non-locals have been caught without documents namely inner linepermit within an hour of the detection drive. Sources also disclosed that there are transporters both Nagas and non-locals whofacilitate their entry into Kohima and other districts. The modus operandi of the transporters is to get them through the check gates by showing ILP’s which they prepare illegally.
It is reported that the Muslim Welfare Society has been directed by KVYO to issue identity card to its genuine members (Indian citizens) after proper verification and documentation. No local (Naga) will be allowed to be the guarantor as to citizenshipproof of any non-local who resides or work under the jurisdiction of Kohima village. Muslim Welfare Society Kohima will henceforth be held responsible if they are found to be issuing identity cards to suspected Muslim immigrants under Kohima village jurisdiction
Many Illegal Immigrants Detected in Nagaland | Northeast Today