Bengaluru, Feb 2 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, emphasized on Monday that the Karnataka government must confront the situation regarding illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the state with a firm approach rather than treating it as a matter of prestige.

During his address regarding the motion of thanks to the Governor's speech in the Legislative Assembly, he asserted, "Illegal immigrants are brazenly conducting business at village fairs, with some having already been apprehended. This is just the start; if not addressed decisively, it won't be long before these individuals turn to terrorism," he warned.

Ashoka proposed that the government establish a special operation aimed at deporting illegal Bangladeshi nationals, suggesting the formation of a dedicated team led by a police officer of the rank of DIG who should be empowered to act independently. He criticized politicians who are allegedly using illegal immigrants as a vote bank.

According to Ashoka, the administration should prioritize this issue as a matter of public safety rather than viewing it through a political lens. He stated, "More than 1.5 million migrants have settled in Karnataka, with over 600,000 residing in and around Bengaluru, resulting in job losses for local workers from rural areas. Some long-term residents are involved in criminal activities as well."

Ashoka pointed out that reports indicate the High Court denied bail to an individual caught with forged documents. It is concerning that police are filing cases against those who identify and reveal the locations of camps harboring illegal Bangladeshi nationals.

He recounted an incident where a woman was arrested for shouting slogans of “Jai Bangla” during an eviction operation. Questions have also arisen about how these migrants have settled in the Malnad district. Ashoka decried that instead of evicting illegal settlers, police have allegedly detained and harassed individuals who reported their locations.

Ashoka claimed that police are reportedly accepting monthly bribes from infiltration camps and landowners providing shelter to these migrants. He noted that illegal electricity connections have also been supplied to these settlements.

Many of the migrants are involved in various jobs, including construction, salons, scrap collection, housekeeping in hospitals, and working in hotels. In the Malnad area, they are predominantly employed in coffee and tea plantations, homestays, and resorts.

Additionally, illegal Bangladeshi nationals are repurposing abandoned LPG cylinders for sale, leading to numerous incidents of gas cylinder explosions.

After illegal Bangladeshis entered the Malnad region claiming to be from Assam, there has been a marked increase in conflicts, robberies, thefts, and narcotics-related cases. Reports suggest that police have acknowledged the detrimental impact of illegal immigrants on state law and order.

In Bengaluru's Whitefield and southeastern areas, the issue of illegal immigrants has escalated. Ashoka stated that these Bangladeshis are implicated in serious crimes, including fake currency circulation and extortion while posing as rag pickers, making it increasingly difficult to track and deport them.

The influx of illegal immigrants has surged since the initiation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal. "We are all too familiar with the consequences seen in Kashmir and other regions," he concluded.