Govt allays fears over infiltration

He said the Government was also taking steps along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir where the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had been actively encouraging separatists and that the Government was determined to put an end to this.

Dar said the people of Jammu and Kashmir were tired of these separatist elements and were now fighting against them. He was confident that Kashmir would be restored to its previous reputation of being a peaceful region.He urged Jagat Vir Singh Drona (BJP) to withdraw a resolution on the issue since the government was as concerned over the problem as the members.

Earlier participating in the resumed discussion, members expressed serious concern over the large-scale infiltration from across the border, mostly from Bangladesh.

They said the issue of illegal immigration has assumed serious proportions as it was no longer confined to Assam and other north eastern states.The problem now encompassed the states of Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Gujarat and even the capital city of Delhi, they said, adding that unless checked immediately it would lead to social tensions.

They said immigration from neighbouring country has already changed the demographic character of several northeastern states as the original inhabitants have been outnumbered by the immigrants.

Those who participated in the discussion were G L Bhargava, Satyadev Prasad Singh and Bhagwan Shanker Rawat, all BJP, Dr Prabin Chandra Sharma, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Suresh Prabhu.

The infiltration problem has been the bane of several erstwhile governments. Despite concerted efforts to stem it, there has only been a steady increase in it. So much so that it has become more a festering sore.