New Delhi, April 3 (NationPress) Intelligence agencies have raised alarms regarding the significant surge in illegal immigration into Assam and West Bengal, where elections are approaching this month. A substantial effort is underway to infiltrate illegal immigrants into these states, indicating attempts to disturb the political climate ahead of the elections, according to an Intelligence Bureau official.

During a rally in Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that illegal immigration is more than just an election talking point; it is a matter of Assam’s identity and the security of both the state and the nation. He highlighted that it impacts farmers' land, the livelihoods of the underprivileged and Adivasis, and the safety of women.

The agencies have warned the police in both states to implement rigorous checks, given the extensive scale of the immigration effort, which could involve thousands of individuals. The largest influx is expected before the voting concludes, stated an official.

This alert follows the arrest of 14 Bangladeshi infiltrators by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, on the North-East Express train heading to New Delhi. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding their arrival in India and their intended purpose.

Another official noted that this illegal immigration initiative appears to be aimed at disrupting the electoral environment in Assam and West Bengal.

The groups facilitating these infiltrations seem to be exploiting the fact that security personnel are preoccupied with the elections, thus allowing such operations to proceed.

When questioned about their route into India, the arrested individuals disclosed that they entered through the Assam border with forged documents, intending to travel to New Delhi.

Security agencies are particularly concerned about how a large number of people are successfully crossing the India-Bangladesh border despite its tight security.

One official remarked that further investigation into these individuals may reveal how they managed to enter India and the accomplices involved on both sides of the border.

Another official stated that there is effective coordination between the Indian and Bangladeshi forces, with both sides committed to addressing the issue. However, certain vulnerabilities are being exploited by these traffickers, facilitating the ongoing infiltration.

These traffickers are taking advantage of the unfenced regions along the India-Bangladesh border for their operations. Out of the 4,061-kilometre border, approximately 3,141 kilometres remain unfenced. West Bengal has a 2,216-kilometre border, with 569 kilometres unfenced. In Assam, challenges such as marshlands, hills, and riverine areas complicate fencing efforts, with over 900 kilometres being riverine, where fencing is not feasible. This presents an opportunity for traffickers.

Intelligence agencies anticipate that there will be numerous additional attempts to bring infiltrators into India, especially during this period.

Officials suggest that the local police's focus on elections is aiding these individuals in evading detection.

PM Modi, addressing the detrimental effects of this matter, urged BJP workers to gather information regarding illegal encroachments and assess their negative consequences. The PM's caution comes as agencies have long highlighted that illegal immigration transcends mere job-seeking; it has the potential to cause a demographic shift in Indian states.