Question : ILLEGAL BANGLADESHI IMMIGRANTS

(a whether illegal immigration has made an impact on the demography and socioeconomic condition in the North- Eastern region of the country including Assam;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government has raised the issue of such infiltration with Bangladesh;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government of Bangladesh has agreed to take back the Bangladeshi infiltrators;

(f) if so, the details of the action taken thereon; and

(g) if not, the measures taken to deport illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) & (b): The people of North Eastern States perceive that due to illegal immigrants, demography and socio economic condition have changed in certain areas of these states.

The powers of identification and deportation of illegally staying foreign nationals including Bangladeshi nationals have been delegated to the State Governments and Union Territories Administrations under Section 3(2)(c) of the Foreigners Act, 1946. The Government has set up 36 Foreigners Tribunals in the State of Assam for detection and deportation of illegal immigrants. Besides, an additional 64 number of Foreigners

L.S.US.Q.No.1442 for 2.12.2014

Tribunals have been sanctioned in June, 2013 by the Government of India for setting up in the State of Assam. Apart from this, to curb illegal influx into the country several measures have been taken by the Government which include strengthening of BSF and equipping them with modern and sophisticated equipment / gadgets; raising of additional battalions of BSF; reduction of gaps between border outposts; intensification of patrolling; accelerated programme of construction of border roads and border fencing; provision of surveillance equipments etc.

(c) to (g): The issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh to India is discussed at several bilateral meetings, between the two countries including the Home Secretary level talks. India and Bangladesh have put in place mechanisms, including a Coordinated Border Management Plan to address problems arising from illegal border crossing, reduce the scope for incidents on the border and enhance cooperation between the border guarding forces of the two countries. The two sides are also cooperating in undertaking fencing of the vulnerable patches with a view to prevent criminal activities, illegal movements etc along the border. As and when any Bangladesh national is apprehended for staying illegally in India, he/ she is repatriated / deported back to Bangladesh. For repat- riation/ deportation of Bangladesh nationals in jails/ correctional homes etc the concerned prison / correctional home authorities initiate action by sending details of the concerned persons to Ministry of External Affairs through Ministry of Home Affairs for requesting verification of Nationality and issue of Travel Permits by the High Commission of Bangladesh. On the basis of their Travel Permits the Bangla- desh nationals are repatriated/ deported back. The meeting of India-Bangladesh Task Force on Human Trafficking was held in Mumbai in April 2014 to discuss ways to counter the menace of human trafficking.