Identification of Bangladeshi infiltrators has begun in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj and other districts of the Santhal Pargana region after the directives of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Ministry instructed that illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya (citizens of Myanmar) living illegally in the country should be located and deported.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been formulated and sent to the states with instructions for strict adherence. According to the SOP, before deporting infiltrators, their biometric data will be collected to prevent any future fraud.
If any Bangladeshi or Rohingya is seen entering the country’s borders, they should be immediately sent back. Before doing so, their biometrics (fingerprints, facial photos, etc.) must be taken and their demographic data uploaded to the Foreigners Identity Portal (FIP).
In areas with poor internet connectivity, this data can be uploaded offline as well. This will ensure that such individuals can be identified immediately upon re-entry into India and will not be able to create fraudulent documents. Police have also been instructed to submit monthly reports on such Bangladeshis and Rohingyas.
Additionally, those attempting to illegally enter the country near border areas must be arrested and thoroughly investigated. If found innocent, they will be handed over to the border police of the concerned country.
According to the Ministry’s instructions, identification of such suspected individuals will be carried out at the district commissioner (DC) level. Suspects will be identified based on their name, genealogy, address and detailed information about close relatives.
A comprehensive investigation will be conducted within 30 days. Until the investigation or deportation is complete, the individuals will be held in a holding centre. A report of how many Bangladeshis and Rohingyas have been deported from each district must be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs every 15 days.