Overnight, several slums across Bengal have emptied out! Fear of SIR? Are they Bangladeshis? Who helped them stay? The incident has sparked a major uproar across the state.

Kolkata : In the wake of the SIR process, Bangladeshi residents have started leaving New Town. In the slum area near Gate No. 6 of New Town, there are over a thousand makeshift huts. People from different parts of the state had come there in search of work — and along with them, many from Bangladesh had also settled in the area.

However, soon after the announcement of the SIR, many of these Bangladeshi residents left overnight. Several houses that were previously occupied now stand locked and empty. It is believed that a significant number of Bangladeshi nationals live in various parts of New Town — some have already fled, while others are yet to leave.

Opposition leaders had repeatedly stated that once the SIR begins, illegal infiltrators would be properly identified. And now, as the special intensive revision process has started in the state, one after another, houses have been found vacant, with locks hanging on their doors. Some people were even seen fleeing upon noticing cameras in the area.

Why are they leaving in such haste? According to local sources, many had been living in Rajarhat–New Town for years. When questioned, the remaining residents revealed that several of them had originally come from Bangladesh. Many had even managed to obtain voter ID cards and cast their votes here. Residents said these people fled after learning about the SIR process.

Trinamool leader Mohammad Aftab Uddin commented, “Around ten families have disappeared; I don’t know where they went. Even people who had been living here for 30 years are leaving out of fear.” On the other hand, BJP leaders stated that the people of the state are “very happy” with the implementation of SIR.