Author: Chandan Nandy
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: November 7, 2003
URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/printedition/071103/detNAT07.shtml
The Indian security establishment
has for the first time acknowledged the emerging security threat from Bangladesh.
An Intelligence Bureau document,
prepared for delegates to the 38th conference of Directors-General of Police,
states that Bangladesh "has emerged as a security threat to India since
the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government of Begum Khaleda Zia came
to power in 2001". The document has been accessed by the Hindustan Times.
The document outlines the broad
areas that pose a danger to India. These include the presence of Pakistani
intelligence officials in Bangladesh, the rise of communal forces and the
presence of Indian insurgent groups in that country. It also focuses on
illegal immigration from Bangladesh.
The facts contained in the document
form part of a new study that the IB had conducted on the issue.
Figures quoted in the document say
the number of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh settled in India has crossed
15 million. Of these, 80 lakh are in West Bengal and 50 lakh in Assam.
Pointing out that the "influx" of
Bangladeshi nationals has "continued unabated", the document says that
over 4.75 lakh illegal immigrants are settled in Katihar, Sahebganj, Kishenganj
and Purnia districts of Bihar. About 3.75 lakh are in Tripura and 4 lakh
in Delhi. West Bengal government sources said that of late, they have noticed
a new trend in the nature of the immigration - the infiltrators are increasingly
using Bengal as a transit point to move to other states.
Nagaland and Mizoram are the two
other states in the North-East where Bangladeshi nationals have taken shelter.
While in 1991, there were about 20,000 illegal immigrants in Nagaland,
the number has now shot up to nearly 80,000.
Stating that illegal immigration
has "significantly altered the demographic character" of the states bordering
Bangladesh, the document spells out the dangers the massive influx poses
to India's security. It not only refers to the presence of terrorist elements
in Bangladesh, but also admits to their clandestine movement into India.
**********************
Areas of concern
** Presence of Pakistani intelligence
officials in Bangladesh
** Indian insurgent groups operating
from that country
** Facts and figures
Number of illegal immigrants from
Bangladesh settled in India has crossed 15 million
** New trend
Infiltrators are using Bengal as
transit point to move to other areas
Bottomline
Illegal immigration has significantly
altered the demographic character of the border states, particularly Bihar,
West Bengal, Tripura and Assam
