Puri,: The number of Bangladeshi citizens is increasing in the tourist city of Puri. Their population is estimated to be over 25,000. Many Bangladeshis here have obtained voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and electricity connections. Among them, several have also received government land pattas (ownership documents) under the Jagam Mission scheme. It is alleged that they have also been provided Prime Minister’s housing schemes by the municipal authorities.
It is known that local brokers, middlemen, revenue officials, and municipal employees have been cooperating in these activities. A large racket has been active for a long time. Even though the police are aware of this issue, they have remained silent.
It has been found that many Bangladeshis live in different areas such as Baliapanda, Goudabada Sahi, Banki Muhan, Bali Upare, and Talbania basti. Over a hundred Bangladeshis are engaged in fish selling near the seashore. The Jhumputi settlement has become a safe shelter for them. For electoral gains, some political and unethical persons have reportedly included their names in the voter lists for political benefit.
Similarly, hundreds of Bangladeshis live near Nuani and are involved in fish trading. Some officials are said to have forcefully occupied government land in Baliapanda and illegally built houses to accommodate hundreds of Bangladeshis.
Some Bangladeshi women have been reportedly brought here under the pretext of employment and forced into immoral activities, according to investigations. With the increasing Bangladeshi population day by day, educated intellectuals have expressed concern.
District administration, police, and municipal authorities have not yet initiated any investigation into the presence of Bangladeshis here despite these concerns. Since many Bangladeshis have obtained Aadhaar and voter ID cards, the administration faces a huge challenge in identifying them.
They have acquired land and Prime Minister housing schemes under the Jagam Mission, along with ration cards and voter IDs.
A few days ago, there was an allegation that a Bangladeshi minor girl was forced into immoral activities at a hotel near the seashore. Police registered a case and arrested some persons including a woman. However, there is suspicion among the public that some influential people involved in this racket have been shielded by police silence.
Bangladeshis come to Puri via trains and sea routes. There is a potential threat to the security of the Sri Jagannath Temple and Puri in the future. The state government has vowed to identify and expel illegal Bangladeshi citizens living unlawfully in different parts of Odisha.
There is a demand to immediately identify Bangladeshis living in Puri and to withdraw all government facilities provided to them. It is also demanded that local brokers involved in this racket be arrested.
The matter was brought to the attention of District Collector Siddhartha Shankar Pai for comments, but no response has been received yet.
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