Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 6: The Karnataka government has revealed that 137 illegal immigrants, including nationals from Bangladesh and Pakistan, have been identified in the state. Authorities are closely monitoring their movements to ensure security, said state home minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday.
Among the identified illegal immigrants, 25 are Pakistani nationals. Parameshwara informed the Assembly during a discussion on the growing menace of illegal immigration that legal action has been initiated against all identified immigrants.
"On several occasions, we have informed the Ministry of External Affairs to communicate with their respective embassies. Until deportation, they will be housed at the Foreigners' Detention Centre," he said in the Assembly.
Illegal immigrants have been located in Bengaluru city (84), Bengaluru Rural (27), Shivamogga (12), Hassan (3), Mangaluru (1), and Udupi (10). In 2016, 33 Bangladeshi nationals were deported from Bijapur district.
The home minister assured that no illegal immigrant from Pakistan or Bangladesh would be allowed to stay in the state. "They are being closely monitored. Thousands of Bangladeshis have already been identified and deported," he added.
Addressing concerns about illegal immigrants working in coffee estates in Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu, Parameshwara highlighted that many join as labourers and remain hidden. Some even obtain ration cards, identity cards, and voter IDs through extensive networks.
He emphasized that the government would not compromise on this matter and that all identified illegal immigrants would be arrested and deported immediately.
On the issue of illegal firearms, he noted that a significant number of country-made pistols and live bullets had been seized, particularly in Bijapur district, posing a challenge to law enforcement.
Regarding the land mafia, Parameshwara said 27 cases had been registered, with chargesheets filed in eight cases. He noted that elderly individuals were particularly vulnerable, with fraudsters using their documents to illegally sell lands.
The minister also warned about the illegal sale of ration rice, where public distribution rice is being sold to commercial establishments.
BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal raised concerns over illegal immigration, particularly among Rohingyas, suggesting that if not controlled, Karnataka could face challenges similar to those in West Bengal. He urged the Centre to establish a National Investigation Agency (NIA) unit at the state’s border to curb such activities.