PHAGWARA: The Hindu Welfare Board of Punjab raised alarm over the increasing presence of suspected Muslim migrants in the state, during a meeting chaired by Raman Nehra, the Jalandhar and Kapurthala in-charge and Zone Coordinator. The meeting, held in Fagwara, saw members expressing concerns regarding the unchecked influx of these migrants, particularly in the context of growing community insecurity and law enforcement challenges.
According to Nehra, the number of migrant Muslims from unknown origins has been rapidly rising across various districts in Punjab, sparking concerns within local communities. He highlighted that many of these migrants have been setting up mosques and madrasas in residential areas without proper permissions, and a large number of unidentified individuals gather in these places every Friday. Nehra also pointed out the alarming rise in reports of local women being harassed and incidents of public disorder, including unauthorized parking and aggressive altercations with residents.
“These individuals lack proper identification, and there has been no verification of their backgrounds. We have no idea who they are, where they come from, or what their intentions are in Punjab. It is crucial that we conduct a thorough verification process to ensure they are not foreign infiltrators posing a threat to the state’s security, ” Nehra said.
Nehra also raised concerns about the financial sources behind the construction of mosques and madrasas, questioning whether any illegal or foreign funding was involved. The issue, he argued, is critical not only for the safety of local residents but for maintaining communal harmony in the region.
While Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) has issued periodic instructions regarding migrant verification, Nehra emphasized the need for more immediate action. He also warned that while these migrants often try to integrate with the Sikh and Dalit communities, they seem to avoid interactions with the general population, raising suspicions of a deeper conspiracy.
Following the meeting, Nehra confirmed that the Hindu Welfare Board, under the leadership of Chairman Mahant Ravikant Muni, would be sending a memorandum to all 398 police station heads across Punjab. The memo will urge the authorities to initiate a state-wide verification drive for all unidentified individuals, in compliance with directives from the DGP and the Supreme Court.
Nehra also appealed to the Punjabi community to avoid supporting any elements that might pose a threat to the peaceful coexistence of Hindus, Sikhs, and other communities in Punjab.
Present at the meeting were several prominent members of the Hindu Welfare Board, including Nand Soni, Kapish Chopra, Parveen Dhunna, Dinesh Kharbanda, and Sumit Bhandari.
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