India mulls immigration policy to stop inflow of illegal migrants from Bangladesh

India is considering putting in place an immigration policy in order to stop illegal migration from Bangladesh.

Sources in India’s home ministry said both their ministry and the law ministry, along with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), were drafting a comprehensive policy to determine immigration patterns.

The policy, according to the sources, will also track the nature of the inflow of foreigners.

“Yes, this is a long-pending demand, which is necessary to stop the inflow of illegal Bangladeshis,” BJP MP Ramen Deka told bdnews24.com.

The immigration policy issue will be discussed at the meeting of the BJP’s national office bearers in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The meeting will be chaired by party President Amit Shah.

“I will definitely raise the issue of illegal infiltration from Bangladesh…I will call for the implementation of an immigration policy,” said Deka.

A Bill will be introduced in Parliament to formulate a law.

“Proper consultations will be made with state governments concerned such as West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura,” one of the sources in the home ministry said on condition of anonymity.

“The policy will definitely have its impact on the country’s geographical, economic and political situation,” said another BJP MP Bijaya Chakraborty.

The proposal involved a ground survey in Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura, which share a 4,096km border with Bangladesh, to determine the immigrant population, with March 25, 1971, as the cut-off date of entry.

Sources said the implications of the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement, which was recently ratified by Indian Parliament, will be taken into account.

Interestingly, this will be the first exclusive immigration policy to be framed and implemented in India.

During his pre-election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to detect and deport all illegal foreigners from the country, if voted to power.

The Centre has already initiated the move to update the National Registrar of Citizen (NRC) to detect and deport illegal foreigners.

The NRC has also put March 25, 1971, as the cut-off date of entry.

As per the Assam Accord, those who migrated to the state from the neighbouring country on or before that should be treated as Indian citizens.