Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria on Wednesday assured the House that the government will take necessary steps to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi’s immigrants residing in Rajasthan.
Kataria assured that after the members of the state assembly raised the issue and alleged that the illegal immigrants are involved in criminal activities in the state.
The home minister agreed that it is a grave issue and their numbers have increased in recent times as they have not been identified. Kataria accepted that it is difficult to find a concrete solution to the problem as it is difficult to calculate their number as they don’t directly come to Rajasthan after crossing the Indo-Bangladesh border.
He also told the House that most of the illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh usually come to the state after residing in other parts of the country with fake passports and visas making it difficult for authorities to prove their original nationality. Answering to an MLA’s allegation that some Bangladeshi colonies are being set up by politicians in Jaipur, Kataria said, “It is also a political weakness. In order to get votes we support them and verify their passports - either we do it or our colleagues. But without verification a card cannot be issued. This shows that there is involvement of us politicians.”
“It is true that we have not resolved the issue to our expectations. We will urge the government of India to make some changes in the law and fence the border properly as this not only our problem as the situation in Assam is more critical,” said the minister. He informed that the government has formed a task force in every district of the state and is making constant efforts to deport the Bangladeshis. “It is unfortunate that these people have made all kinds of necessary certificates through one or other departments. Solution can be reached if coordinated efforts are made between departments. Honestly, if they are searched than the figures will cross thousands and reach lakhs,” the home minister said.
{{/usCountry}}“It is true that we have not resolved the issue to our expectations. We will urge the government of India to make some changes in the law and fence the border properly as this not only our problem as the situation in Assam is more critical,” said the minister. He informed that the government has formed a task force in every district of the state and is making constant efforts to deport the Bangladeshis. “It is unfortunate that these people have made all kinds of necessary certificates through one or other departments. Solution can be reached if coordinated efforts are made between departments. Honestly, if they are searched than the figures will cross thousands and reach lakhs,” the home minister said.
{{/usCountry}}He informed that in September 2014, a two-week campaign was conducted against illegal Bangladeshi’s where 149 were found residing in various districts of which 100 were deported. Presently, in Jaipur district 287 Bangladeshi’s are residing illegally - 201 in Jaipur east since 1995 and 66 in Bakshawala area of the city.
Majority in Jaipur have ration cards and some even have voter identity cards and driving licences.