Puri being a hotbed of Bengali tourists round the year, there is allegation of more numbers of Bangladeshi refugees staying here for years bypassing the radar of the police and the administration.
Moreover, dwellings of many Bengali speaking people permanently in certain pockets of Puri have deepened a doubt that illegal immigrants too may be staying taking the advantage.
Moreover, a stiff rise in construction labourers from other States has been big worry for Puri. In most big construction sites along the beach, the outside workers are found engaged by the contractors.
They are neither questioned by the police on citizenship nor quizzed over their native places. They are found staying in slum areas. If the matter is not taken up seriously, then chances of Assam like situation in near future can’t be ruled out, sources apprehended.
Over a decade now, the number Urdu or Bengali-speaking people in every street is on a rise, be they street vendors or construction workers.
Belonged to a certain faith, most of them deal in saris, utensils, chapals, plastic toys, bangles and household articles. Due to cheaper rates and attractive looks of articles, they manage to lure the household women. Other reason of women being attracted is behavior and credit facilities they offer to the buyers. Those unknown vendors are found in Baliapanda slum, near Puri station bastis, Atharanala, Penthakata, Nuanai and Konark localities, sources informed.
A decade ago, there were only local vendors; however, one finds today only Bengali and Urdu speaking people with household articles. Nobody knows who are they and what nationality they hold. The district administration is found least bothered about those people as no step has been taken to ascertain their identity. Even some of them have allegedly captured voter card with subsidised ration facilities backed as they are by political people.
This concerns security of Jagannath Temple so far terror target is concerned. After two Indian Mujahidin operatives were nabbed by Delhi police after visiting the Jagannath Temple some two years ago, now doubts are being raised on those unknown faces staying in Puri for a livelihood. Even allegation comes that they might be working as sleeper-cell for terror outfits.
Despite a doubt, it is quite worrying that the district administration is still in a deep sleep.