| Contrasting Stance of Union Government: The Union government’s affidavit in the Santhal region infiltration case submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the Jharkhand High Court. The government maintains that there is no substantial evidence to support the large-scale infiltration claims and demographic shifts attributed to it. |
- The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has released a report highlighting alleged demographic changes in Jharkhand’s Santhal Pargana region, attributing it to the infiltration of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
- The Commission suggests involving non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to address the issue.
- The report acknowledges the difficulty in accurately counting Bangladeshi infiltrators due to constantly changing numbers and the limitations of official records.
| National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) It is a constitutional body established to protect the rights and interests of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India. It was set up under Article 338A of the Indian Constitution through the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, separating it from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. The Commission investigates complaints regarding the violation of rights and atrocities against STs and recommends action to the appropriate authorities. The NCST submits annual reports to the President of India. It advises the government on policy matters concerning the social, economic, and educational development of STs. |
- The NCST conducted an investigation in four districts—Sahibganj, Pakur, Godda, and Jamtara—and concluded local issues, such as land disputes, human trafficking, and lack of access to government schemes, stem from illegal immigration.
Dig Deeper: Read about the issues Scheduled Tribes face in different areas like Nicobar, MP, and Maharashtra.
