Odisha Police have detained 448 people who are suspected to be Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants. Most of them — 444 people — were picked up from Jharsuguda district in western Odisha. Four others were detained in Paradip on Tuesday.
According to the police, many of these people had settled in Jharsuguda and were working in local industries and mines, mostly as masons and painters.
Inspector General of Police Himansu Kumar Lal said, “We have held these people suspecting them to be Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas who entered the state illegally.”
When asked if some of the people might be from West Bengal, he replied, “Document verification is underway. Those who prove Indian citizenship will be allowed to stay. Others will face legal action.”
Police said that many of those detained do not have Aadhaar cards or any valid identity proof. If they are confirmed to be from Bangladesh, they could be deported.
The crackdown in Jharsuguda was carried out by two special task force teams formed under instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The detained people are currently being held in a private college auditorium and an indoor stadium.
In Paradip, the four detainees also could not show any documents like Aadhaar, passports, or bank papers.
“They will be deported as per law following due legal procedure,” said Smruti Ranjan Kar, Additional Superintendent of Police in Paradip.
Police are also investigating whether a bigger group or network helped these people enter the country. Officials say they are worried about how such a large number of people managed to settle and find work in industries without proper checks.
