Odisha Government Discovers 77 Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants, Majority Deported: CM Majhi
Synopsis
In a significant crackdown, the Odisha government has identified 77 Bangladeshi nationals illegally residing in the state. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi confirmed that most have been deported as part of an extensive verification initiative mandated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Key Takeaways
77 Bangladeshi nationals identified as illegal immigrants.
73 have been deported back to Bangladesh.
Verification drive examined 2,261 suspected individuals.
Two individuals faced legal action for obtaining fraudulent passports.
State government is ramping up efforts for immigration enforcement.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 23 (NationPress) The government of Odisha has successfully identified 77 Bangladeshi nationals who are residing in the state unlawfully, as reported by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during a session in the Odisha Assembly on Monday.
In response to a question from BJP MLA Padma Lochan Panda, Majhi explained that this identification is part of a comprehensive state initiative aligned with the directives issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The Chief Minister highlighted that according to the MHA letter No. 25022/28/2020-FI (Part-III) dated May 2, 2025, guidelines were provided to Superintendents of Police across all districts to accelerate the identification process of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
Majhi stated that the Superintendents of Police have adhered to the MHA guidelines and have been conducting verification drives within their respective areas.
The verification exercise encompassed the examination of identity documents belonging to 2,261 suspected individuals.
From this total, 2,184 individuals were confirmed to be Indian citizens and were subsequently released after their credentials were validated.
The remaining 77 individuals were confirmed as illegally residing Bangladeshi nationals in the state.
Out of these, 26 were identified in the Bhubaneswar Urban Police District (UPD), 14 in Cuttack UPD, six in Berhampur, one each in Ganjam and Koraput districts, four in Kandhamal, three in Kendrapara, and 21 in Jagatsinghpur district.
Of the 77 identified Bangladeshi nationals, 73 have already been deported back to Bangladesh, as stated by the Chief Minister in the Assembly.
Additionally, he mentioned that two Bangladeshi nationals—one from Ganjam and another from Kandhamal—had fraudulently acquired Indian passports using forged documents.
The Odisha Police have initiated separate criminal proceedings against these individuals and have presented them to the court for further legal proceedings.
Currently, the deportation process for the remaining two Bangladeshi nationals identified in the Bhubaneswar Urban Police District is in progress.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the state government has ramped up efforts to identify and deport illegal foreign nationals living in Odisha.
He instructed the Odisha Police to rigorously verify the identities of suspected individuals, which includes scrutinizing financial transactions, communication records, and digital footprints to confirm their nationality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the identification of illegal immigrants in Odisha?
The identification was initiated based on directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and as part of a comprehensive state-wide verification drive.
How many Bangladeshi nationals were identified?
A total of 77 Bangladeshi nationals were identified as residing illegally in Odisha.
What actions were taken against the identified individuals?
Out of the 77 identified, 73 have already been deported back to Bangladesh, while legal actions are being pursued against two individuals who obtained Indian passports fraudulently.
How did the verification process work?
The verification process involved examining identity documents of 2,261 suspected individuals, with 2,184 confirmed as Indian citizens.
Are there ongoing efforts to identify more illegal immigrants?
Yes, the Odisha government has intensified its efforts to identify and deport illegal foreign nationals residing in the state.
