Karnataka Authorities Identify 137 Unauthorized Immigrants, Monitoring Movements of Nationals from Pakistan and Bangladesh

Bengaluru, March 6 (NationPress) The Karnataka government announced on Wednesday that there are 137 unauthorized immigrants currently residing in the state, which includes nationals from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Authorities have committed to continuously monitoring the movements of these illegal immigrants from the neighboring countries.

Out of the total identified illegal immigrants, 25 individuals are from Pakistan.

During a discussion in the Assembly regarding the escalating issue of illegal immigration, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara revealed that the government has identified, arrested, and initiated legal action against 137 illegal immigrants from various nations, including Bangladesh and Pakistan.

"We have frequently informed the Ministry of External Affairs to engage with the respective embassies. Until they are deported, we must keep a close watch on them. Illegal immigrants will be housed at the Foreigners' Detention Centre. Once we receive approval for deportation, we will send them back," he added.

Currently, 25 illegal immigrants from Pakistan are under surveillance and remain in custody.

Additionally, nationals from Bangladesh and various others have also faced arrest.

These illegal immigrants have been located in various areas including Bengaluru city (84), Bengaluru Rural (27), Shivamogga (12), Hassan (3), Mangaluru (1), and Udupi (10).

In 2016, a total of 33 Bangladeshi nationals residing in the Bijapur district were deported, the Minister stated.

"No illegal immigrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh will be permitted to remain in the state. We are monitoring them closely. Bengaluru experiences a daily influx of thousands, including numerous foreign nationals. Some African nationals have been linked to drug trafficking, a serious issue we will address. Numerous Bangladeshi immigrants have been identified and sent back," Parameshwara assured the Assembly.

He noted that illegal immigrants often find employment in coffee estates located in Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu, where they frequently work as laborers and tend to remain concealed within the estates.

"Tracking these individuals is challenging due to their presence in private areas. However, we are able to locate them based on received intelligence. Many of these immigrants manage to acquire ration cards, identity cards, and even voter ID cards. The network facilitating this is extensive, and we are keeping a close watch on it," Parameshwara explained.

"Once we identify illegal immigrants, they are apprehended and subsequently deported. The government will remain uncompromising on this issue," he emphasized.

Discussing the rising threat of illegal firearms, Parameshwara stated that in 2022, authorities confiscated three country-made pistols and six live rounds; in 2023, three pistols and 12 live rounds were seized; in 2024, one country-made pistol and one live round were recovered, and in 2025, 13 country-made pistols and 28 live rounds were taken into custody in the Bijapur district alone.

"This creates a significant challenge for law enforcement, and we are taking stringent measures," he added.

Concerning the land mafia, Parameshwara mentioned that 27 cases have been filed. Chargesheets have been submitted in eight cases, reports are pending in nine cases, and investigations are ongoing in another nine cases.

"This presents a major challenge to law enforcement, and strict actions are being implemented," he reiterated.

Action has been initiated against nearly 173 accused individuals, he noted.

He pointed out that elderly citizens are being exploited, with fraudsters utilizing their ration cards and identity documents to illegally sell their lands through forged registrations.

Parameshwara also addressed the illicit sale of ration rice, indicating that ration shops are hoarding rice designated for public distribution and later selling it to commercial entities through a vast network operating throughout the state.

BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who brought up the issue, asserted that illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh and involving Rohingyas, is one of the nation's most significant challenges.

"If this situation is not controlled, Karnataka may become another West Bengal. Rohingyas, in particular, are noted for their violence. They are settling in coffee estates," he alleged.

He further cautioned that unchecked Bangladeshi immigration poses a severe threat to the state's peace and safety.

He urged the Central government to establish an NIA (National Investigation Agency) unit at the state border to monitor and deter such activities.