Mon May 19 22:50:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Odisha government has announced plans to identify and remove illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from employment in the state. The focus will initially be on coastal districts, with authorities citing concerns about organized crime and previous identification drives. The government reports having identified 3,740 illegal Bangladeshi nationals in Odisha, with the highest numbers in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts.

**News Article:**

**Odisha to Crack Down on Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants in Employment**

**Bhubaneswar, May 20, 2025** – The Odisha government has announced a new initiative to identify and remove illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from employment across the state, according to a statement released yesterday.

“We have a stated position to identify Bangladeshis staying illegally in Odisha,” said State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan. “Now, we will make sure that no Bangladeshi is engaged through any outsourcing companies in the State.”

The initiative will initially focus on the six coastal districts most accessible via the sea route, which authorities believe is the primary point of entry for illegal immigrants. Deputy Inspector General of Police Pinak Mishra stated that the Special Task Force would track down Bangladeshis involved in any organized crime.

Last year, district administrations were directed to conduct a comprehensive identification drive to trace illegal Bangladeshi intruders following unrest in Bangladesh. In a response submitted in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the government revealed that 3,740 Bangladeshi nationals had been identified as staying illegally in the State, and their deportation was under consideration.

The highest number of illegal immigrants were found in Kendrapara (1,649) and Jagatsinghpur (1,112) districts, followed by Malkangiri and Nabarangpur. The Odisha government continues to grapple with the issue of illegal immigration, aiming to safeguard employment opportunities for its citizens and address potential security concerns.

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