Title: Need to stop deportation of Hindu Bengali settlers in Malkangiri and Nowrangpur districts of Orissa to Bangladesh.
(BERHAMPUR, ORISSA): Sir, in the aftermath of prosecution of Hindus in East Bengal of Pakistan, there was large-scale exodus of Hindus to India. Between 1960 and 1971 some of them were rehabilitated in Malkangiri sub-division and Nowrangpur sub-division of the erstwhile Koraput district of Orissa.
However, on technical reasons, Government of Orissa has issued notice of deportation to 540 families of Malkangiri district and 510 families of Nowrangpur district belonging to the second generation settlers. Twenty one families were physically taken to Bangladesh border and deported. Others are apprehensive that they may be deported without being given an opportunity to explain their lineage, stay and citizenship of India.
There is widespread discontentment among the genuine Hindu Bengali settlers in Malkangiri and Nowrangpur districts of Orissa. Government of India may intervene in the matter and direct Government of Orissa to refrain from such deportation.