SHILLONG: The number of people with dubious citizenship has gone down with the decrease in the number of migrant workers.
A senior police officer dealing with infiltration told The Shillong Times, “Detection of people with doubtful citizenship has come down drastically. There is a vigil at certain check gates in Byrnihat, Ratacherra, etc.”
When asked on the infiltration of Bangladeshis into the State, the officer said, “If Bangladeshis are detected within 10 km of the international border they are pushed back to their country if it is found that they do not have any intention of committing crime.”
However, if they are found beyond 10 km of the international border, they are liable to be prosecuted under the Foreigner’s Act or the Passport Act.
“They will also be prosecuted if they are caught red-handed while stealing or committing a crime,” the officer said.
Illegal Bangladeshi nationals
The number of illegal Bangladeshis detected in the State in the last four years (2012-2016) is 697 while the total number of illegal Bangladeshis deported to the neighbouring country in the last five years is 669.
The year-wise distribution of the number of illegal Bangladeshis detected in the last five years depicted a declining figure from 2012-2015.
However, the number increased sharply in 2016.
Altogether 28 illegal Bangladeshi nationals are languishing in different jails in the State.
Prisons in Shillong, Tura and Jowai have 14, 10 and four illegal Bangladeshis, respectively.
Anti-infiltration directorate
When asked about the functioning of the Anti-Infiltration Directorate, the officer said it has been functioning from April 1, 2013. However, the Directorate does not have a separate building.
The anti-infiltration Directorate is a stakeholder in the establishment of entry/exit points planned by the State Government to regulate the number of immigrants.
The number of Bangladeshi nationals deported to Bangladesh in the last five years
Year Detected Deported
2012 268 264
2013 169 168
2014 74 71
2015 71 67
2016 115 99
Total 697 669
