Is it possible to trace Bangladeshi infiltrators or not? HC seeks answer from Union Home Ministry

Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court has sought clarification from the Union Home Ministry regarding the feasibility of detecting illegal immigrants (Bangladeshi infiltrators) in the Santhal Pargana area of Jharkhand through the collaboration of Central and State Government officers. The court instructed the ministry to submit a response to this inquiry within a two-week timeframe.

In response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing concerns about the demographic impact of Bangladeshi infiltrators on Santhal Pargana, a division bench led by Chief Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra of the Jharkhand High Court issued this directive on Wednesday.

The court directed Prashant Pallav, the advocate representing the central government, to seek guidance from the government and determine the possibility of identifying illegal immigrants in regions such as Sahibganj, Pakur, Dumka, Godda, and Jamtara, among others.

Previously, the court had raised inquiries to the Home Ministry regarding the entry of Bangladeshi infiltrators through Jharkhand’s border areas and the measures undertaken to prevent such occurrences. The PIL was filed by Daniel Danish, who highlighted the influx of Bangladeshi infiltrators into Jharkhand’s border regions like Jamtara, Pakur, Godda, and Sahibganj, leading to adverse demographic changes in these districts.

The petitioner pointed out the establishment of numerous madrassas in these areas and the formation of matrimonial ties with local tribals by these infiltrators. The petitioner urged the Government of India’s Home Ministry to provide a report on how Bangladeshi infiltrators are entering Jharkhand’s border areas and the resultant demographic shifts in the region.