ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ISSUE IN JHARKHAND: A CRITICAL NATIONAL CONCERN

In 2017, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a crucial directive to all states, emphasizing the need to identify and verify the presence of Rohingya refugees and other illegal immigrants.

- PANKAJ SINGH

The directive arose from national security concerns and the growing recognition of illegal immigration as a threat, particularly to border states like Jharkhand. The Ministry's order underlined that such immigrants pose significant risks, including altering the demographic balance, social unrest, and complicating issues of governance and security at multiple levels.

Jharkhand's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) acknowledged the problem, with reports confirming the presence of illegal immigrants in various parts of the state. These immigrants, many of whom arrived from neighbouring countries, have settled in Jharkhand over the years, raising alarm about the potential for demographic shifts in key regions. As more immigrants settle, concerns are mounting over their impact on local communities, resource distribution, and regional stability.

The state's porous borders and unchecked influx have made it a hotspot for such illegal immigration, demanding urgent government intervention.

In response to this growing threat, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), Writ Petition No. 6547 of 2022, was filed in the High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi. The petitioner, Danyaal Danish, sought the court's intervention to compel the state authorities to address the illegal immigration crisis. The petition demanded the Jharkhand government comply with the MHA's 2017 directive and take action to identify and remove illegal immigrants from the state. The petitioner argued that the state's inaction posed significant risks to both security and governance, with the situation demanding immediate attention from both the state and central governments.

A compliance affidavit was filed by Keshab Biswas, Assistant Director of the Bureau of Immigration (BOI), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), on behalf of the Central Government.