The Jharkhand High Court has issued a stern directive to the state government to combat the surge of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, particularly through the Santhal Parganas region. During a hearing on Thursday, a division bench, including Acting Chief Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Arun Kumar Rai, responded to a public interest litigation (PIL) raised by Daniel Danish.
The court highlighted the urgent need for stringent measures due to the ongoing unstable situation in Bangladesh, which is likely to exacerbate illegal immigration efforts. Recognizing the complexity of the issue, the bench has expanded the scope of the case by involving high-level officials such as the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the Director-General of the Border Security Force (BSF), the Chief Election Commissioner of India, and the Director-General of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), all of whom have been asked to submit their responses.
Additionally, the court suggested that the government undertake surprise inspections of Aadhaar and voter identification cards to identify and deter illegal settlers. This proactive approach, according to the judges, is essential not only for identifying current illegal immigrants but also for preventing future illegal entry.
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The ruling emphasized that both the state and Union governments must collaborate closely to address this pressing issue. The demographic impact on the tribal populations of Santhal Pargana, which comprises districts like Deoghar, Dumka, Pakur, Godda, Sahebgunj, and Jamtara, was specifically noted. The influx of immigrants has reportedly disturbed the local demographic structure, posing a serious threat to national sovereignty.
