Kolkata, Aug. 25 -- State Panchayat minister Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday raised concerns over what he alleged was large-scale infiltration from Bangladesh into the state. He also claimed that undocumented migrants were obtaining identity documents and getting registered as voters in the state. "Millions of people from Bangladesh and other regions" had become citizens and registered voters in West Bengal, Ghosh alleged.
"When these individuals obtain Aadhaar cards, they infringe upon the rights of the local population and create law-and-order issues; it becomes difficult for the Centre to manage the situation effectively from Delhi," Ghosh said while speaking to the media.
He also mentioned that the state government now has the opportunity and the authority to oversee matters ranging from
citizenship to other related issues. Asserting a zero-tolerance approach, he stated that the government has given the
police a free hand to crack down on criminal elements and mafias, warning that "overreactions" might occur to maintain law and order.
Ghosh also regretted that theme concept of Durga Puja is predominant in the state and, as a result, the old traditions of Durga Puja have taken a back seat. It should be revived, Ghosh maintained.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.