Around 15,000 alleged illegal immigrants are reportedly living across Jammu and Kashmir, according to information emerging from Indian central intelligence agencies. Among them are a large number of Bengali-speaking people who are being identified by the local administration as Bangladeshi nationals.
However, questions are being raised over whether all those being identified as Bangladeshis are actually citizens of Bangladesh or Rohingyas.
The issue has gained significance amid allegations that genuine Indian citizens, particularly Bengali-speaking people from West Bengal, are being branded as illegal immigrants and pushed towards Bangladesh. Several cases concerning such allegations have already reached the Supreme Court of India. In a number of instances, people initially identified as Bangladeshis were subsequently found to be residents of West Bengal.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns over the identification and detention of Bengali-speaking people as alleged foreign nationals. Recently, 23 people from Murshidabad’s Suti police station area were reportedly identified as Bangladeshis in Chhattisgarh. Following the intervention of the Supreme Court, they were released from detention and were able to return to Murshidabad.
Similar allegations have emerged from several border districts of West Bengal, including South Dinajpur, North Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia.
Human rights groups have alleged that genuine Indian citizens are being branded as Bangladeshis, subjected to harassment and sent to detention or holding centres. In some cases, people have reportedly been pushed across the border, while intervention by the Supreme Court and cooperation from Bangladesh have helped facilitate the return of some Indian citizens.
The Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) has also raised serious concerns over the issue. MASUM Secretary Kiriti Roy said Bengali-speaking workers are being brought from Jammu and Kashmir to South Dinajpur after allegedly being detained on suspicion of being Bangladeshis.
Roy said that around 150 workers have already been brought to South Dinajpur from Jammu and Kashmir, while another group of 150 workers are expected to be brought to the state. The organisation has received information that around 300 workers may eventually be brought to West Bengal.
Roy alleged that Bengali-speaking workers employed in Jammu and Kashmir are being identified as Bangladeshis by the Border Security Force. As a result, he said, several Indian citizens are being wrongfully detained, with some allegedly facing attempts to forcibly send them across the international border.
MASUM is currently trying to ascertain the exact location in South Dinajpur where the workers are being kept and is closely monitoring the situation. Roy said the organisation would approach the Union home minister and the president of India over the issue.
“Being Bengali-speaking does not make someone a Bangladeshi. Why are Bengali-speaking people being harassed in this manner?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, an Indian media report published on Thursday claimed that Jammu and Kashmir Police and central intelligence agencies had identified around 600 Bangladeshis. Investigators are also reportedly tracing the alleged networks of intermediaries through which they entered India.
According to the report, intelligence agencies believe many of those identified were working as labourers in Jammu and Kashmir, while others had found employment in shops and restaurants. Intelligence agencies have also reportedly expressed concerns that members of militant organisations and individuals allegedly radicalised by militant groups may have entered Jammu and Kashmir alongside migrant workers under the guise of labourers.
Following their identification, authorities have reportedly begun transporting the alleged Bangladeshi nationals to West Bengal by air. The government is subsequently arranging for their repatriation to Bangladesh through border points.
According to intelligence sources cited in the report, the first group of around 150 people has already been flown from Jammu and Kashmir to West Bengal on Indian Air Force aircraft. From Bagdogra Airport, the BSF reportedly transported them by road to areas near the international border. The process of sending them back to Bangladesh has begun through the Changrabandha, Hili and Malda border points.
Another 150 people were reportedly expected to be brought to West Bengal on Thursday. Discussions are also underway on whether some of them could be sent back through the Benapole and Gede border routes in addition to the northern Bengal border points. A further 300 people are expected to be brought to West Bengal in two subsequent phases before being repatriated to Bangladesh.
Intelligence agencies have claimed that Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas allegedly entered India illegally over the past several years through networks of intermediaries operating along the border. After entering India, they were reportedly dispersed to different parts of West Bengal and other states with the help of these networks. A section of them was subsequently taken to Jammu and Kashmir.
According to intelligence inputs, many of those people worked as labourers in Jammu and Kashmir, while some found employment in shops and restaurants.
The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi is reportedly aware of the developments and is monitoring the situation. However, no formal statement has been issued by the Bangladesh mission so far.
