Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran told Lok Sabha that these illegal infiltrators cross the border through few patches where fencing is not feasible due to difficult terrain and riverine areas.
"As this activity takes place clandestinely, no specific details are available about the magnitude of this illegal migrants staying in India including Northeastern states," he said.
He said people of the Northeastern states perceive their ethnic/cultural identity is being threatened by these infiltrators.
Replying to another question, Ramachandran said the Bodoland Territorial Council has made a demand that no inmate from the relief camps in the four violence-hit Assam districts be rehabilitated without getting his or her credentials ascertained.
"In order to control the illegal infiltration, government has taken steps for strengthening of the Border Security Force and equipping them with modern equipment, reduction of gaps between the border posts and intensified patrolling along Indo-Bangladesh border," he said.
