Odisha Launches Raids Amid VHP Bandh Against Illegal Infiltration

After a house suspected of sheltering illegal Bangladeshi nationals was demolished in Odisha, state police conducted raids across five districts to tackle illegal infiltration. The actions coincided with a VHP-called bandh in Keonjhar, disrupting daily activities while pressing for the eviction of illegal residents.

In a concerted effort to tackle illegal infiltration, Odisha's state police launched a series of coordinated raids across five districts following the demolition of a house in Jagatsinghpur suspected of harboring Bangladeshi nationals. The intensified crackdown came as the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) enforced a 12-hour bandh in Keonjhar, disrupting normal life and demanding the immediate eviction of infiltrators.

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan emphasized the state's commitment to identifying and legally evicting Bangladeshi nationals residing in Odisha without proper documentation. Raids were conducted in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, and Puri districts, leading to several detentions and arrests, notably recovering weapons from the previously demolished house.

Despite heightened tension, the bandh remained largely peaceful, as public services were disrupted across Keonjhar and surrounding areas, affecting shops, schools, and transport services. Authorities remain vigilant, with increased police presence and surveillance across affected districts to curb further infiltration attempts.

(With inputs from agencies.)