Odisha undecided over National Register of Citizens for Kendrapara

Naveen Patnaik government has, for now, distanced itself from the suggestion that Odisha should petition the Centre for a National Register of Citizens for coastal Kendrapara.

The suggestion was made by the Orissa High Court appointed amicus curiae, advocate Mohit Agarwal, to a court appointed committee tasked with looking into the protection of its wetlands Bhitarkanika National Park and Chilika lake. Agarwal had suggested Odisha write to the Centre for a register of its citizens in the coastal district, and identification of illegal immigrants who he believes are responsible for encroachments.

The committee had met for the fourth time on 24 June 2019. In a letter dated 3 August 2019 to the state’s Home Department, the Director Environment-cum-Special Secretary, seemed to suggest the committee shared Agarwal’s opinion.

Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment who heads the committee, however clarified that this was not the case. “This is the amicus curiae’s opinion and not the state government’s. We believe the illegal encroachments, irrespective of who is responsible for them, can be removed,” Mahapatra told the Economic Times. In fact, said Mahapatra, the amicus curiae would clarify to the HC (on Monday) that the suggestion was his, and not the State’s.

Agarwal who appeared before the Orissa High Court on Monday, told ET he did no such thing. He said he had submitted a set of proposals to the court, including the idea of a NRC for the district, on 21 January 2019. “The HC had in its order hoped the committee would take appropriate and prompt action on the suggestions. The committee accepted this and thus wrote to the home department,” said Agarwal, referring to forest department’s 3 August letter. The advocate estimates at least 7-8 lakh Bangladeshi immigrants reside in Odisha, the majority of them in Kendrapara.

The issue of illegal immigrants has been raised in the past too, and not just in the context of protection of these wetlands. Last month former BJD MP from Kendrapara, Baijayant Panda had tweeted saying NRC was needed in Odisha too. “It (Odisha) has seen a huge influx of illegal immigrants, especially in the coastal districts. In my time in Parliament I had sought and got coast guard coverage, but more needed now,” tweeted Panda, now a vice president with the BJP.

The last meeting took note of illegal prawn ‘gherries’ in Puri, Khorda, Ganjam and Kendrapada districts, cases against these and their demolition. Minutes of the meeting noted that 6346.25 acres has been identified as being used as illegal prawn gherries (or ponds) in Kendrapara district, out of which 338 acres had so far been demolished.