Odisha’s law enforcement agencies have unearthed a network of illegal Bangladeshi migrants, identifying 77 individuals living without valid papers. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the state assembly on Monday, addressing concerns raised by BJP legislator Padma Lochan Panda.
Launched per MHA directives, the verification campaign spanned all districts. Superintendents of Police were tasked with ramping up probes into unauthorized entries, as per the ministry’s May 2, 2025 communication.
Out of 2,261 people scrutinized during the drive, most—2,184—proved to be legitimate Indian residents and were cleared. The 77 confirmed Bangladeshis were traced to key districts: 26 in Bhubaneswar Urban, 14 in Cuttack, six in Berhampur, and others scattered across Ganjam, Koraput, Kandhamal, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur.
Deportation has been decisive. Seventy-three have been sent back to Bangladesh. Notably, two used fake documents to secure Indian passports; police have registered FIRs and produced them in court. The remaining pair’s expulsion from Bhubaneswar is in progress.
The Chief Minister highlighted enhanced state measures against illegal foreigners, instructing police to delve into financial trails, call logs, and online activities for robust verification. This initiative reflects Odisha’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal migration, bolstering national security in the region.