The growing menace of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants – Firstpost

In the early hours of January 16, the residents of Mumbai woke up to a shocking incident of a stabbing attack at the residence of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence. The assailant, identified as a Bangladeshi illegal immigrant, broke into the actor’s home with the motive of robbery and subsequently injured the actor by stabbing him after being confronted.

This brazen attack has once again raised red flags about the growing security threat posed by illegal immigrants in India, especially those coming from neighbouring Bangladesh. While such violent incidents involving illegal immigrants are not new, this one incident has once again kick-started the debate about the dangers lurking in the country due to unchecked illegal immigration, which poses both social and national security challenges.

India shares a porous border of over 4,000 km with Bangladesh, making it difficult to monitor the movement of people across the two countries. The migration from Bangladesh to India has been a long-standing issue, but in recent decades, the scale of illegal immigration has grown exponentially. According to various estimates, more than 20 million illegal Bangladeshi immigrants currently reside in India, with a significant number of them in states like West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya.

These illegal immigrants are often employed in low-wage, unskilled labour jobs, including construction work, domestic help, and agriculture. They form a significant portion of the informal labour market in India. However, their presence is not limited to the economic sphere. There is increasing concern over the involvement of these immigrants in criminal activities, including smuggling, drug trafficking, and even acts of terrorism. Apart from criminal affiliations, many illegal immigrants have also participated in political activities by using forged documentation, hence posing a significant social risk to the overall welfare of the Indian communities as well.

In the recent past, the increase in the numbers of Bangladeshi immigrants involved in criminal and terror nexus highlights the broader issue of hesitant policy of active identification and deportation of illegal immigrants from the country. Security authorities have uncovered links between several illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and organised crime syndicates operating in India.

These criminal networks are often engaged in a range of illicit activities, including human trafficking, weapons smuggling, and financing terrorism. In many instances, these immigrants have been found to have ties with extremist groups, both domestic and international, further complicating the security landscape in India.

Illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have not only contributed to the informal labour economy but also become entangled in the dark side of India’s criminal underworld. As low-wage workers, many of them live in impoverished conditions in slum dwellings, where exploitation by criminal gangs is rampant. A number of immigrants, driven by financial hardship or radical ideologies, are lured into criminal enterprises, whether it be for drug trafficking, arms smuggling, or serving as foot soldiers for terror outfits.

The role of illegal immigrants in drug trafficking has been particularly concerning. Bangladesh, with its proximity to the Golden Triangle (a notorious drug-producing region in Southeast Asia), has been a key player in the transnational drug trade. Many of these illegal immigrants use India as a transit point for smuggling drugs like heroin and methamphetamine and other drugs to other countries. These narcotics are often sold in Indian cities, further exacerbating the drug abuse problem in the country.

Furthermore, there have been reports and arrests of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants being involved in organised terror activities. Intelligence agencies have flagged the possibility of these immigrants being recruited by extremist groups operating in the region. Their ability to cross the border with relative ease makes them ideal candidates for sleeper cells and covert operations against India’s national security. In recent years, there have been several instances where illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were found to be operating as part of terror networks involved in activities such as bombings and attacks on key infrastructure.

The involvement of illegal immigrants in terrorism is particularly alarming because it compounds India’s existing challenges with homegrown extremism and insurgent movements. India’s security forces are constantly challenged by the threats posed by the insurgencies and terrorist activities within, and the influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh further complicates the country’s efforts to ensure safety and stability.

The growing security concerns in India due to illegal immigration from Bangladesh bear a striking resemblance to the challenges faced by the United States under the administration of President Donald Trump. Trump’s “America First” policy saw a concerted effort to clamp down on illegal immigration, particularly from Mexico, through the construction of a border wall and the implementation of strict immigration enforcement measures.

After his return for the second term, Trump’s stance on illegal immigration is grounded in a firm belief that unchecked immigration poses a significant threat to national security and the economic stability of his country. The rise in drug trafficking, human trafficking, and the involvement of some illegal immigrants in violent crime are central to Trump’s policy agenda. His administration has sought to curb illegal immigration by implementing stringent border controls and deportation policies, sending a strong message that illegal immigration would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The effectiveness of Trump’s policies remains a topic of debate, but the underlying premise that illegal immigration poses serious risks to national security and public safety resonates with the situation in India. The US experience provides a valuable lesson for India, one that underscores the need for a comprehensive and firm approach to deal with illegal immigration.

While India shares a long-standing cultural and historical connection with its eastern neighbour, the reality of the current immigration situation cannot be ignored.

The porous nature of the India-Bangladesh border has enabled the free movement of people, with many illegal immigrants finding their way into Indian territory without proper documentation. In some cases, even if they are apprehended, they are rarely deported due to a lack of diplomatic coordination or reluctance to address the issue. As a result, millions of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants continue to reside in India, often with little regard for the rule of law and a clear threat to India’s national security.

A stricter border policy, such as the border fencing, installation of surveillance systems, enhanced border patrols, and stronger documentation requirements, is essential to curb the influx of illegal immigrants. Additionally, India needs to strengthen its deportation mechanisms to ensure that those who are caught living illegally in the country are swiftly sent back to Bangladesh.

India should also consider adopting a more comprehensive immigration policy, similar to that of the United States under Trump’s administration, which prioritises national security and public safety. Such a policy would require a delicate balancing act by ensuring the protection of human rights of persecuted minorities of Bangladesh while safeguarding the nation’s borders and addressing the concerns of local populations who feel overwhelmed by the presence of illegal immigrants.

As the situation stands with regards to social, political, and security challenges arising out of Bangladeshi illegal immigration, India faces a clear and present danger in terms of security and social cohesion. It is time for the Indian government to take a strong stand and implement robust measures to control illegal immigration, ensuring that the country’s borders are protected and its people are safe.

Raja Muneeb is an independent journalist and a columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.