Arakan News Agency
The authorities of Bihar state in India have commenced an intensive review of voter lists amidst significant concerns regarding the infiltration of migrants, particularly the Rohingya, into the state’s voter registrations.
On Tuesday, the Indian network “News 18” reported that concerns were raised due to a significant and alarming increase in the number of applicants for residence certificates in key areas of the state. In the Kishanganj district alone, over 200,000 applications were submitted within the first week of the current month, causing a stir among security and political circles, according to the network.
The network highlighted that the increase in numbers has once again raised fears of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltration into the Seemanchal area, a region in the state bordering Nepal. The intensive review of voter lists is part of preparations for the legislative elections.
Local administration sources confirmed that many applications appear suspicious due to the inability to verify the attached documents.
The state Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, told the network that the issue poses a significant challenge to investigative agencies, indicating that the infiltration of Rohingya or Bangladeshis into the Seemanchal area is not a new occurrence, and the government will not allow any infiltrators to acquire Bihar citizenship.
This process is taking place amid criticism and mutual accusations between political parties regarding the credibility of the review process and allegations that it aims to exclude millions of legitimate voters. This review process is the first since 2005 in the state.
In 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs estimated the presence of nearly a million illegal immigrants in Bihar, and intelligence agencies have warned that Bangladeshis and Rohingya continuously enter Bihar through Nepal.
Indian authorities continue to pursue Rohingya refugees and those assisting them internally in entering and residing in the country as they do not recognize them as refugees despite them holding UNHCR cards. They target them as illegal migrants since India is not among the signatories of the Refugee Convention.
Over one million Rohingya have fled the Arakan state in western Myanmar over the past years following a genocidal campaign launched against them by the Myanmar army in 2017. The Arakan Army (separatist) launched a military campaign in November 2023 to take control of the state, which also affected them through violence, displacement, and forced recruitment. Most of them live in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh, while some seek to relocate to other countries in search of better living conditions.
