Illegal migration from Bangladesh, a national problem: Kiran Rijiju

NEW DELHI: Centre today termed as "a national problem" the issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh and said action will be taken against those "infiltrators" staying in the Indian territory.

"The issue of illegal migrants and infiltrators in the northeast, especially the issue of Bangladeshis, is a cause of concern for all of us...This is a national problem," Union Minister of State for Home Kiran Rijiju said.

"We have to look at these things from the national perspective. So action will be taken but we have to work along with the state government," Rijiju said.

He said this when reporters sought his comment on BJP Assam unit's plan to launch 'Bangladeshi bhagao abhiyan (remove Bangladeshis)' in the state.

Rijiju said his party BJP has never treated the issue of illegal migration as a political problem.

"It has been an issue for all of us. Particularly our party. We consider this issue not as a political problem. This is a national problem," he said.

Two days ago, BJP MP from Assam Kamakhaya Prasad Tasa had said a 'Bangladeshi bhagao abhiyan' will be launched by the party in Assam soon.

The Jorhat MP had said the drive will start from Jorhat district to be followed by other parts of the state.

Addressing various election rallies last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said illegal immigrants from Bangladesh would have to go back.

Modi had also said he would only try to honour the Supreme Court's observation that infiltration was an act of aggression on India.

"The Supreme Court has said that infiltration is aggression on India. I have no hesitation in giving respect to what the Supreme Court has said," Modi had said at an election rally at West Bengal's Krishnanagar.