Kendrapara district is witnessing a surge in illegal immigration from Bangladesh, with many individuals reportedly using forged identity documents to secure government employment through fake caste certificates. This situation has raised significant concerns among local authorities and community organizations.

Despite having three dedicated marine police stations, inadequate coastal surveillance and enforcement have turned Kendrapara into a hotspot for Bangladeshi nationals entering illegally via the Bay of Bengal. The journey from Bangladesh to Odisha takes approximately eight hours by boat, facilitating a continuous influx of unauthorized migrants.

In a recent statement to the state Assembly, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi revealed that 3,738 Bangladeshi nationals are living illegally in Odisha, with Kendrapara accounting for the highest number at 1,649. However, these statistics have not been updated since 2004, when the district first identified these infiltrators.

Although 1,551 deportation notices were issued in 2005, little progress has been made in enforcing these orders, and many individuals continue to reside in the area, according to local activist Amarabar Biswal.

Authorities have also identified instances of illegal immigrants obtaining fraudulent caste certificates to gain employment in public-sector undertakings. A formal complaint from Amitabh Chand, a resident of Mahakalapara, prompted an investigation by the state-level SC/ST scrutiny committee.

The committee found that members of the Debanath family, who migrated from Bangladesh in 1972, had illegally obtained caste certificates and used them to secure jobs in government corporations, including Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd. (OHPCL) and Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd. (MCL). The committee has recommended both administrative and criminal actions against family members involved.

Voter ID fraud has also emerged as a pressing issue. In preparation for the 2024 general elections, the Kendrapara district administration has canceled 137 voter ID cards associated with Bangladeshi nationals, yet there has been no public update on any legal actions taken against those implicated.

In a notable case, Amit Ray from Barakolikhal village remains in the district despite having his ration card, passport, and other documents confiscated due to suspicions of Bangladeshi origin.

Reports indicate that illegal settlers are present in various blocks, including Rajkanika, Rajnagar, Mahakalapara, and Pattamundai. Civil society organizations have expressed concerns about the challenges to law and order posed by this influx and are advocating for the use of 1951 citizenship records and 1974 voter rolls to verify identities and initiate deportation processes.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Jyotishankar Goud mentioned that awareness campaigns are underway, encouraging residents to report unfamiliar individuals to local authorities, particularly in coastal regions.

Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Nilu Mahapatra noted that many deportation cases are still pending in court, awaiting final decisions. Meanwhile, social worker Pratap Mohanty has urged authorities to take decisive action to prevent illegal immigrants from misusing public resources.