Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants in Jharkhand, Centre Tells Court

Ranchi: The central government has informed the Jharkhand High Court that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are residing in the state. According to an affidavit filed before a division bench, Bangladeshis entered the state through the Sahebgunj and Pakur districts. Additionally, the affidavit highlighted a transfer of tribal land to Muslims through ‘daanpatra’ or gift deeds, and a decline in the tribal population due to conversions and outward migration.

Illegal Immigration and Tribal Land Transfers
In an affidavit submitted to the Jharkhand High Court, the Centre revealed the presence of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the state, particularly in Sahebgunj and Pakur districts. The document, filed by Pratap Singh Rawat, undersecretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, pointed to significant issues involving the illegal transfer of tribal land to Muslims through ‘daanpatra’, or gift deeds.

Decline in Tribal Population
The affidavit further noted a concerning decrease in the tribal population of the region. This decline was attributed to two main factors: high conversion rates among tribals and a low birth rate within the tribal community. Additionally, it pointed out that outward migration from Santhal Parganas has also played a role in reducing the indigenous population.

Increase in Madrasas and Language Commonality
A rise in the number of madrasas in Sahebgunj and Pakur districts over the past few years was mentioned as another significant issue. The affidavit suggested that the local dialect, shared by the illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, has facilitated their infiltration into the state.

Illegal Immigration in Assam
The affidavit also drew attention to the presence of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Assam, another state grappling with similar challenges. The porous 4,096.7-km-long border between India and Bangladesh was cited as a major factor that has made infiltration relatively easy, further complicating efforts to manage the issue.

Conversion of Tribals in Santhal Parganas
The affidavit was presented as part of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the conversion of tribals in the Santhal Parganas, filed by Soma Oraon, and another PIL submitted by Daniel Danish addressing the issue of illegal immigration of Bangladeshis. Oraon’s petition raised concerns about the organised manner in which tribals were being converted to other religions in the region.

Illegal Land Purchases
Danish’s PIL focused on illegal immigrants buying land and falsifying documents to establish themselves as state residents. He expressed concern over the methods employed by these individuals to acquire land and settle in the state, creating a long-term problem.

Government’s Stance on Border Control
The affidavit also stressed that India’s shared border with Bangladesh is highly porous, making it difficult to prevent illegal immigration. The ease of crossing the border has enabled a large number of immigrants to enter the country without detection, leading to the current situation.

Next Court Hearing
The Jharkhand High Court will conduct the next hearing on this matter on 17th September. The court will review the concerns raised in both PILs, along with the central government’s response, to determine future legal actions.

Conclusion
The issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Jharkhand raises multiple concerns, from land transfers to tribal displacement and conversions. The court’s intervention will be crucial in determining how these issues will be addressed in the long term.