Bhubaneswar Police step up drive against undocumented Bangladeshi settlers

Bhubaneswar, May 19: Amid a nationwide crackdown on undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants, the Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police has launched a focused drive to identify illegal settlers in the Odisha capital.

During a crime control review meeting on Sunday, Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena directed all police stations to collect detailed information on undocumented foreigners, especially Bangladeshi nationals, and initiate appropriate legal action. He stressed the importance of investigating how these individuals entered Bhubaneswar, their activities, and verifying their documentation status.

Illegal Bangladeshi immigrants found without valid papers will face immediate arrest and be either deported or handed over to the Bangladesh Embassy.

Police sources revealed that past probes have linked illegal Bangladeshi residents to multiple criminal cases in the city. Notably, the Special Task Force of the Crime Branch arrested ten such immigrants, including men, women, and a juvenile, near Bhubaneswar railway station in March. Authorities are concerned that some may be operating covertly or passing sensitive information to hostile entities.

A major challenge remains the absence of precise data on undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants in Odisha. The state government estimates over 1.5 lakh Bangladeshis reside in Odisha, with around 4,500 lacking proper documentation. Unofficial estimates suggest higher numbers, especially in Khurda, Cuttack, and Puri districts. Many undocumented immigrants in Bhubaneswar work in construction, scrap collection, and street vending, raising concerns about unchecked movement and internal security risks.