Odisha Government Assigns STF to Identify Illegal Bangladeshi Infiltrators

Bhubaneswar – In a decisive move to tackle the issue of illegal immigration, the Odisha government has entrusted the Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch with the responsibility of identifying illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators across the state. The announcement was made by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, who emphasized that non-citizens will not be allowed to remain in Odisha under any circumstances.

The STF has already identified several infiltration hotspots, particularly in coastal regions, and will begin an intensive identification drive in coordination with district police, the Coast Guard, and other agencies, according to STF Deputy Inspector General Pinak Mishra.

Official records indicate that 3,738 Bangladeshi infiltrators have already been detected in various districts, with significant numbers concentrated in Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Puri, and Ganjam. In response, the state government has directed District Collectors and Superintendents of Police to form block-level committees to identify and report the presence of illegal Bangladeshi nationals.

Law Minister Harichandan clarified that individuals found staying illegally will be deported, and steps will be taken to prevent any future influx. “The STF has been given full authority to carry out this operation, and engineering agencies have been asked to submit reports on the employment of Bangladeshi nationals,” he said.

The government’s action follows the March 9 arrest of 10 Bangladeshi nationals—including three women and a juvenile—at the Bhubaneswar Railway Station, who were found without valid documents.

While a total of 1,57,432 Bangladeshi refugees have been legally resettled in Odisha under post-independence agreements, mainly in Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts, concerns remain over the influx of undocumented immigrants, particularly those employed in the construction sector.

Meanwhile, the Commissionerate Police in Bhubaneswar has launched a crackdown to track illegal Bangladeshi nationals residing in the city. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena has instructed all police stations to intensify surveillance and collect data on suspected individuals in their areas.

Police personnel have also been ordered to maintain strict vigilance on the movement and activities of suspected Bangladeshi nationals, with an emphasis on verification of identity documents and background checks.

The state’s aggressive stance is being viewed as part of a broader effort to tighten internal security and ensure that unauthorized foreign nationals do not pose any threat to local peace and order.