File picture of a suspected Bangladeshi family who were served Quit India notice

Kendrapara, Sept. 8: A large number of alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators living in the coastal villages of this district have failed to produce documents, which could have saved them from deportation.

The officials engaged the exercise of identifying infiltrators said that out of 362 families of alleged infiltrators, who were served with “Quit India” notices in 2005, 312 families had not been able to submit documentary evidence that they were citizens of India or could qualify for the same.

However, 50 of these families have produced a proof that they are bona fide citizens of the country.

In 2005, 1,551 suspected Bangladeshis belonging to 362 families in Mahakalpada tehsil were served with Quit India notices under the Foreigners’ Act. The move, however, was kept in abeyance by the Union home ministry following protest from various quarters.

“The nativity of about 50 families who have laid claim for Indian citizenship is being cross-checked. The relevant records and documents submitted by the suspected foreign nationals in support of their nationality claim were dispatched to the Union home ministry and the Bengal government for foolproof verification,” said Ashok Kumar Panda, additional district magistrate, Kendrapara.

“The administration is carrying out the Union ministry directives. Those who did not submit the proof have lost the opportunity to wriggle out of foreign national stigma,” he said.

After the deportation of alleged Bangladeshis was suspended, infiltrators had been ordered to depose before a magisterial inquiring authority with documentary evidence of their Indian domicile status.

According to the act, they were to be deported to Bangladesh a month after the notice was served. However, the deportation move was put on hold then following the Union home ministry directives, an official said.

Though the suspected foreign nationals were provided with ample opportunity and timeframe, a majority of them could not manage to convince officials of their nativity through record and material evidence, Panda said.

Some of the infiltrators have submitted relief eligibility certificate and refugee resettlement certificates to lay claim for Indian citizenship. Besides, sections of infiltrators have come up with records to prove that they had migrated from Bengal.