Bhubaneswar: Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said there were no reports of Bangladeshis entering the coastal state through the sea route following the unrest in the neighbouring country. He said Bangladeshis living illegally in Odisha would be identified and sent back to their country.

Police said a three-tier security was being maintained at the beach by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Odisha Marine Police. Replying to reporters' queries on the possibility of infiltration from Bangladesh through the sea route in view of the political turmoil in the neighbouring country, Harichandan said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had directed both the Coast Guard and Odisha Marine Police to patrol the beach to prevent such attempts.

'Illegal intruders will be sent back to their country'

The law minister said there have been no such reports after the recent incidents in Bangladesh. "Some Bangladeshis have been living in Odisha for a long time. The state government will verify their documents like visa and work permit or any other valid reason for staying in the state. After verification, the illegal intruders will be sent back to their country," he said on Saturday.

Indian Navy is monitoring in international waters

Odisha police said the state's 480-km-long coastline is under a three-tier security check. The first five nautical miles are being guarded by Odisha marine police, while the waters between 5 nautical miles and the country's maritime boundary at 80 km from the coast are being managed by the coast guard. Besides, the Indian Navy is carrying out surveillance and patrolling in international waters, a police official said.

3,740 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants identified

According to government sources, a total of 3,740 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been identified in seven districts of Odisha. Of these, 1,649 are in Kendrapara, 1,112 in Jagatsinghpur and 655 in Malkangiri.