Bangladesh Turmoil: Odisha exercises caution, braces up to prevent entry of illegal immigrants

Amidst severe unrest in Bangladesh leading to the dissolution of the Sheikh Hasina government, the Odisha government has braced up to strengthen patrolling, to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants from the neighbouring country.

Odisha government has issued a high alert and asked all the superintendents of police (SP), especially of coastal districts to check on entry routes along the sea coast, informed Sanjay Kumar, additional director of general of police (ADG), Law & Order.

The main focus is currently to prevent the entry of Bangladeshi immigrants to Odisha, especially through the coastal districts of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Bhadrak. A 24*7 control room has been opened in the office of the ADG and coastal security.

“All marine police stations and coastal security guards have been asked to remain alert and monitor any movement on sea routes along the coasts of Odisha. The SPs of coastal districts have also been closely monitoring the situation,” ADG Kumar informed.

“There are chances that immigrants may try to illegally enter our territory in groups through sea routes. We have directed to increase the vigil near the coastal areas,” he added.

The District Administrations have also been directed to alert revenue inspectors and forest officials to keep a tab on the movement of people in villages near the coastline, informed sources.