Odisha police steps up vigil at coastline amid Bangladesh unrest to prevent illegal immigration through water

New Delhi, August 9

The Odisha government has stepped up vigil along its 480-kilometer coastline to prevent influx of people from turmoil hit Bangladesh. Odisha is about 200 kilometres away from the Bangladesh coast.

The Odisha police stated that during the unrest in Bangladesh many criminal shave come out of jails. The people from Bangladesh used to earlier iillegally) enter Odisha using small boats. During the unrest, there is high likelihood that they will try to sneak in through coasts following which the vigil at the coasts has been intensified. 

ADGP (Law and Order), Sanjay Kumar stated that Odisha police have put 18 marine police stations on high alert. The ADG coastal security has opened a control room and the state has deployed all employees, boats and other equipment at strategic location. The additional director general of police (coastal security) has been in touch with the Coast Guard and Navy for round the lock watch. 

Odisha's focus is now concentrated on the districts like Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Bhadrak that are closer to the international coastline. 

The state government has asked the superintendents of police of all coastal districts to strengthen patrolling, especially during night hours, to prevent entry of illegal immigrants.

The police are also keeping a close watch on social media and other channels to get additional information.