Bengaluru, Dec 31 (NationPress) In light of the Bharatiya Janata Party's allegations that the Congress-led government in Karnataka was "offering housing" to Bangladeshi individuals whose homes on government property were demolished, state Home Minister G. Parameshwara asserted that any individuals identified as Bangladeshi nationals would face immediate arrest and deportation.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Parameshwara remarked, "It's unfair to generalize that all those residing at the demolished site are from Bangladesh. Do we not validate the facts? Every process of providing compensation or housing will involve thorough verification. Do you believe we would offer homes to Bangladeshis? If discovered, they will be promptly apprehended and sent to the border."

"We will communicate with their embassy for deportation. Should they be found engaging in criminal activities, they will be arrested and imprisoned. The Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, who has previously served as Home Minister, is aware of these protocols. His current claims are politically motivated," Parameshwara added.

He emphasized that the backgrounds of all beneficiaries will be meticulously checked.

"Personnel from the Greater Bengaluru Authority have compiled a list of beneficiaries. We will assess this list, confirm their duration of residence in Bengaluru, and only after this will compensation be distributed," he stated.

He further noted that the verification process for identifying illegal immigrants would be ongoing. "This is not a temporary initiative that will cease after a week. Those residing unlawfully in Karnataka, including areas like coffee estates, will be tracked down. Police will investigate coffee estates and inquire with owners about their laborers. If any Bangladeshis are located, they will be swiftly arrested and jailed," he said.

"Some may be evading capture. As I mentioned, this is a continuous effort. Verification will persist, and whenever such individuals are identified, they will be arrested and deported," Parameshwara asserted.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, accused the Congress-led government of setting a detrimental precedent by opting to build homes for land encroachers, which he claims encourages the land mafia.

"Allocating homes to encroachers could precipitate the emergence of a mini Pakistan," he cautioned.

He argued that while it is claimed that Muslim residents have inhabited the area for 20 years, Google Maps imagery from 2023 reveals the location to be waterlogged and devoid of habitation.

"Even 15 acres of land were entirely vacant. Only in the past six months have people started residing in temporary structures," he claimed.

"A total of 37.48 lakh applicants are awaiting housing. Local impoverished residents have no opportunities, yet the government expresses intentions to build homes for outsiders. I have never witnessed housing schemes being approved with such rapidity in Karnataka's history," he commented.

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, on Tuesday, questioned why the political dynamics of Kerala elections seemed to influence developments in Karnataka.

Karandlaje called for a comprehensive investigation into illegal migration from other states and countries into Karnataka. She urged all departments to collaborate against illegal migrants linked to drug trafficking and requested the state government’s assistance in identifying and deporting Rohingyas.