Odisha Intensifies Drive to Identify Bangladeshi, Pakistani Infiltrators

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified its efforts to identify and take action against Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators residing illegally in the state, Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik announced on Monday.

According to the minister, a preliminary list of suspected foreign nationals has already been prepared, detailing their locations, activities, and places of residence across villages and towns at the panchayat level.

In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the government has expedited the detection process. Individuals living without valid visas or overstaying their permitted duration are undergoing thorough scrutiny, with authorities cross-verifying key identity documents such as Aadhaar cards and voter IDs to detect any cases of fraud or illegal infiltration.

To strengthen the verification drive, local elected representatives and community members are being consulted for inputs and suggestions. Minister Naik assured that a comprehensive list of identified infiltrators would soon be submitted to the Home Department for further action.

Reiterating the state’s firm stance on internal security, Naik emphasized that those confirmed as Bangladeshi or Pakistani infiltrators will be deported without compromise. He added that security measures have been tightened in sensitive areas to counter potential threats arising from illegal residents or activities.