Demography panel arrives in Jammu for three-day visit

SRINAGAR — A four-member government-constituted committee studying demographic changes across different parts of the country arrived in Jammu on Monday for a three-day visit, officials said.

Soon after its arrival, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat met the panel at a hotel as part of its consultations with senior officials. The committee was briefed on the demographic profile of Jammu and Kashmir and changing population trends, officials said.

The panel is scheduled to continue its engagements till August 12 and will visit several areas of Jammu, including settlements inhabited by Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, as well as areas along the International Border considered sensitive from security and administrative perspectives.

Background of the committee

The Centre had constituted the high-level committee in May under the chairmanship of retired Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar to study demographic changes arising from illegal immigration and other abnormal factors and suggest measures to address them.

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The committee comprises the Census Commissioner and three experts — Durga Shankar Mishra, a retired IAS officer; Balaji Srivastava, a retired IPS officer; and economist Shamika Ravi. The Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I) in the Ministry of Home Affairs is the Member Secretary.

The committee’s visit comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the “High-powered Demography Mission” on August 15 last year. The Union Cabinet approved the mission on September 11.

Officials said a detailed presentation on the demographic overview and changing trends in Jammu and Kashmir was made before the Chief Secretary and DGP met the panel.

Background data

According to government data, more than 13,700 foreigners, including Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshi nationals, are settled in Jammu and Samba districts, with their population having increased by over 6,000 between 2008 and 2016.

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In March 2021, police identified more than 270 Rohingyas, including women and children, during a verification drive in Jammu city and lodged them at a holding centre inside the Kathua Sub-Jail.

The presence of illegal foreign immigrants, particularly Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, has previously drawn concerns from BJP leaders and right-wing groups, who have sought identification and deportation of those residing illegally in the region.

The committee’s assessment is expected to examine demographic trends and associated administrative and security concerns during its engagements in Jammu.