In what has been a major problem, at least 43,000 Bangladeshi nationals who entered India on valid documents have vanished in the past four years, whereas only 19,995 could be deported during the same period.
Pointing out that the highest number, 24,364, disappeared in 2011, while 6,761 were deported the same year, security sources said this trend was checked in 2015 as only 116 Bangladeshi nationals who entered India with valid documents disappeared and 474 were deported.
There have been two categories of illegal immigrants — foreign nationals who have entered India on valid travel documents and found to be overstaying, and foreign nationals who have entered the country without any valid travel documents.
Security sources admitted that a number of Bangladeshi nationals who came to India on valid travel documents have been found to be overstaying even after their visas have expired.
Security sources admitted there has been a practice of Bangladeshi nationals entering the country without any valid documents but the government doesn’t have any accurate data on such clandestine entry of foreign nationals.
Pointing out that steps have been taken to check this influx from Bangladesh, security sources said the BSF has identified 19 vulnerable patches-border outposts along the India-Bangladesh border from where people without valid documents may cross over to India illegally. Security has been strengthened and close vigil is being kept along the identified vulnerable patches. Moreover, Bangladeshi authorities have been urged to take effective steps to check the illegal infiltration of their nationals into India.
