“Will bring legislation to prevent the transfer of land to infiltrators…”: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Promises Strict Action Against 'Infiltrators' if BJP Wins Jharkhand Election

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday vowed that if the Bharatiya Janata Party wins the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, it will take strong measures to drive out what he referred to as "infiltrators" from the state. Addressing a rally in Seraikela, Shah promised to form a committee to identify these individuals and take action to reclaim land that, according to him, has been illegally taken by "infiltrators."

"Infiltrators are grabbing land by marrying our daughters. We will bring a law to prevent the transfer of land to infiltrators if they marry tribal women," Shah declared, adding that the usurped land would be returned to the tribal people of Jharkhand.

The Home Minister's remarks came in the wake of similar statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week. During a rally in Garhwa, Modi accused the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress alliance of "appeasing Bangladesh infiltrators" and allowing them to settle in the state for political gains.

Shah also took a dig at the leadership of Jharkhand, alleging that former Chief Minister Champai Soren was forced to resign after raising concerns about infiltration. Soren, who had been with the JMM before joining the BJP earlier this year, had stepped down earlier in the year after Hemant Soren assumed office. Shah indicated that Champai Soren's departure was tied to his opposition to infiltration issues. “Champai Soren was forced to resign because he raised the issue of infiltration,” Shah said.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has been campaigning in Jharkhand for the BJP, also criticized the JMM-led government. In a rally at Bhawnathpur in Garhwa, Adityanath accused the state administration of allowing "Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators" to wreak havoc. “Jharkhand has been converted into a 'Dharamshala' for Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators who have been given free rein to spread anarchy,” he claimed.

Adityanath also alleged that the JMM government had been responsible for the plundering of Jharkhand's natural resources and vowed that only the BJP could guarantee national security, women's empowerment, and employment for the state's youth.

The Jharkhand Assembly elections are scheduled for November 13 and 20, with results to be declared on November 23.​