In a stern admonition on Thursday, the Jharkhand High Court criticized the Central Government, Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Border Security Force (BSF) for their failure to submit required affidavits regarding the illegal immigration of Bangladeshi nationals into the state.
Presiding over the matter, a division bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Arun Kumar Rai expressed deep concerns over the alleged complacency of the authorities concerning the infiltration issue. This hearing was part of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing the unchecked migration through the porous borders of the Santhal Parganas region.
“The state was carved out to uplift its tribal population, yet it appears the central authorities have been lax, despite prior directives from this court,” remarked the bench. The court highlighted that while agencies like the IB and BSF are tasked with monitoring and managing immigration issues around the clock, they have not prioritized providing the court with necessary documentation.
In contrast, the state government has complied with the court’s orders, having already submitted its affidavit. The High Court has now mandated that the Union government submit its report within the next two weeks, with proceedings set to resume on September 5.
Illegal immigration has emerged as a critical issue, not only for Jharkhand but also for the central administration. During the proceedings, it was revealed that refugees have been establishing madrasas and communities particularly in the districts of Sahibganj, Pakur, Godda, Jamtara, and Dumka, posing challenges to the local tribal communities.
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“The refugees’ settlements are increasingly encroaching on the tribal areas, disturbing the indigenous way of life,” stated the petitioner, urging prompt and decisive action to curb the illegal influx.
