E-Paper
Illegal migration from Bangladesh is reality
Large-scale illegal immigration into India of both Hindus and Muslims from Bangladesh "is a reality" despite Dhaka's repeated denials.
Large-scale illegal immigration into India of both Hindus and Muslims from Bangladesh "is a reality" despite Dhaka's repeated denials about the phenomenon, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said.
Another problem Dhaka is not adequately addressing is the presence in Bangladesh of a "large number of wanted insurgent activists" from India's restive northeastern states, Mukherjee indicated in his first interview since assuming office.
"One type of problem is infiltration, there is illegal migration to India from Bangladesh. Both Hindus and Muslims are coming," Mukherjee told IANS in his South Block office.
"And of course, Bangladesh does not agree that illegal migration is taking place, but this is a reality."
Mukherjee said: "Another problem is we are requesting Bangladesh not to allow the northeastern insurgents to carry on their operations from the soil of Bangladesh.
"And every time the Bangladesh government strongly refutes this and says that there is no camp of insurgents in Bangladesh.
"There may be camps and there may not be camps but the fact remains that a number of persons have been arrested by the Bangladesh government whom Indian police (want).
"And our intelligence reports suggest that there is the presence of a large number of wanted insurgent activists and they are found in Bangladesh."
In recent years, top leaders of northeastern insurgent groups like the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the All Tripura Tiger Force have been arrested in Bangladesh.
ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia is currently serving a prison term in Bangladesh for illegal possession of a satellite phone and foreign currency and for illegally entering the country.
He is wanted in Assam for several crimes.
Mukherjee said the government was trying to protect the border with Bangladesh "but it will not be possible unless fencing and other arrangements are completed in the eastern sector".
"In some areas, the fencing has started but it has not been completed. The border is also very porous and it is very difficult at times," he said.
"In some cases, part of a house has gone to the (other side of the border). Another part is on this side. There is no natural boundary in many places. So it is easy for illegal migrants to cross the border."
There was also an "economic aspect" to the illegal migration, with a section of Bangladeshi migrants coming to India for jobs.
"It is not that we are rich, but it's only a question of the comparative wealth. So from the bordering districts, sometimes it may happen that people are coming to do some jobs like day labourers and then they go back in the evenings," Mukherjee said.
"Technically they are illegal migrants but this is also happening. There is no border trade between these two countries. Some sort of illegal trade also takes place."
