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Uttar Pradesh police chief O P Singh has asked all district units to run a campaign to detect illegal Bangladeshi migrants, in instructions issued amid the political row over the National Register of Citizens update in Assam.
The police should then inform the state's home department, beginning the process of their deportation, a letter sent by the director general of police to district police chiefs said.
“In the present scenario, to strengthen the state's internal security, it is necessary to identify and verify Bangladeshis and other foreigners residing in the state," the DGP said.
The letter in Hindi was released to the media by the DGP's office on Tuesday.
The DGP, however, told the media later that the exercise is “routine”, similar to the ones carried out in previous years. “It has nothing to do with the NRC,” he said.
The DGP wrote that places like railway stations, bus stations, new colonies and roadside locations where Bangladeshis and other foreign nationals seek shelter should be identified.
"If during the probe people claim that they belong to another district or state, this should be verified,” his letter said.
“It should also be probed what documents, like ration cards, voter ID cards, driving licences and passports, they have procured to legalise their stay," the DGP added.
The police should then begin the process of cancellation of documents obtained by illegal migrants, the letter advised.
It urged action against “brokers” and officials who helped illegal migrants get such documents.
Construction companies should be asked to maintain identity proof of labourers working for them, it said.
The DGP said the exercise should be taken seriously to maintain internal security, as festivals are nearing.
He also urged coordination among different agencies and “transparency" during the campaign.
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