-By J.N.Mahanty

Recently while travelling through  Balasore and Bhadrak Districts, I could see swarms of Bangladeshi Settlers occupying a part of the platforms of all important Railway Stations, and have virtually made the platfom their Home in India.

I also came across News items in the local Newspapers, describing Bangladeshis invasion (of short) into the coastal Districts of Orissa through the Sea route. These Illegals are entering into Orissa coast through Sea with help of their fishing boats and settling down in the swampy  Mangrove forest areas. They are destroying the Mangrove Forest, a natural barrier against the High tide and Tsunami. and developing agricultural land, making agriculture as their second profession, while fishing remains  their main occupation.

It is rather strange that the local people and the Govt have not taken this Illegal Settlement seriously and their number is swelling  alarmingly.

The  major consequences  arising out of these Illegal Settlements  may be summarised hereunder:

AA. It will affect the demographic balance of the Coastal Districts and time
will not be very far, when we will  see situations as  prevailing in some of the Districts of Assam and West Bengal. This will further affect the social equilibrium and give rise to social tension, conflict, unrest, etc.

BB. Increase in Crime Rate:  Already some areas of Jagatsinghpur are witnessing spurt in Crime rate, attributable to these Settlers.

CC.The Illegal settlers are security threats not only to the State but also to the Nation, as these Intruders will come very handy with the ISI, Al Qaeda, etc who are hell bent to destabilise this Nation.

DD.Destruction of  Coastal Ecology system: this will accelerate the coastal oil erosion and also will increase the risk arising out of High Tide and Tsunami. This will also have impact on the Climate Change.

EE. Affecting the employment opportunities of the local people( perhaps packing off our people to work as Dadan Labour/Bonded labour outside the
State).

Through Orissa Today, may I call upon our people and the State Govt to launch a massive operation to evict all Illegal Settlers from the Orissa Sea Coast and from the Platforms of Railway Stattions, in a comprehensive
manner.

It is also necessary to increase patroling  and survellance of the Orissa Coast Line, to thwart attempts of  the Illegal Settlers thru Sea Route. The presence of National Coast Guard is almost NIL in Orissa, and it needs to be strenthened with Motorised Speed Boats and Manpower, to make some  impact on the objectives of the  National Coast Guard.

The Issue may be taken up with the Government of Orissa.