BJP petitions collector against illegal immigrants

COIMBATORE: BJP state secretary GKS Selvakumar and members of the party lodged a petition with district collector Archana Patnaik on Thursday asking the district administration to take action against the people of Bangladesh living illegally in Coimbatore district, requesting the collector to deport them. They also alleged that several thefts and murders had been reported in the city due to these illegal immigrants.
"Around 50,000 people from Bangladesh are living in Coimbatore district, working mostly as gold smiths and construction workers. But they used to claim that they are actually from West Bengal. They have obtained ration cards, voter identity cards and driving licenses from Coimbatore authorities illegally.
BJP had already approached the district administration and police officials in 2005 to identify foreigners and deport them for staying without valid documents," said Selvakumar.
"Anti-social elements from Bangladesh entered in Coimbatore district in the name of West Bengal people. These elements would create threat for our nation and communal harmony. The district administration should find them and deport them immediately. Then only Coimbatore city will become a safest city," said P Nandhakumar, district president, BJP, Coimbatore.
The CPM however, has condemned the allegations made by the BJP. "Indians have the right to live anywhere in the country. If they commit any offences, as per the law, action should be taken. People from West Bengal have been working as gold smiths and construction workers. BJP does not have any evidence that these workers are from Bangladesh. They should stop making allegations against people without any evidence," said former Coimbatore MP PR Natarajan. from CPM.
The district collector Archana Patnaik said that the petition had been received from the party members and they would look into the matter. "Stringent action would be taken against those who disturb the people of West Bengal who are constituently protected. As per the law, police would take action against illegal immigrants," said AK Viswanathan, city police commissioner.