The Jharkhand High Court has reprimanded the Union government, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and the Border Security Force (BSF) for failing to file their affidavits in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the illegal immigration of Bangladeshi refugees into the state.
A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Arun Kumar Rai was presiding over the PIL, which addresses the influx of Bangladeshi refugees entering India through districts in the state’s Santhal Parganas region.
The division bench remarked that while Jharkhand was established for the welfare of its tribal communities, it appears that the Centre remains complacent regarding the issue of illegal Bangladeshi infiltration, despite the court’s directives.
The court further noted that while the IB and BSF operate around the clock to monitor illegal immigrants, they have failed to find time to submit an affidavit before the court.
The state government has already filed its affidavit in the matter. However, the Union government has not yet complied with the court’s order to file its response. The bench has now directed the Union government to submit its affidavit within two weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for September 5.
The high court emphasized that illegal immigration from Bangladesh is a serious concern for both Jharkhand and the Centre. The court made this observation orally during the hearing.
The petitioner, in his plea, alleged that the refugees are establishing madrasas and settlements in five districts, which is disrupting the existence of the local tribal population. The petition also stated that Bangladeshi refugees are entering Jharkhand through the porous borders in the Santhal Parganas, with concentrations in the districts of Sahibganj, Pakur, Godda, Jamtara, and Dumka.
