The Population Studies Unit conducted a qualitative survey during 2002-03 on the effects of undocumented migration from Bangladesh to West Bengal,. A semi-structured schedule was canvassed to collect perception of professionals – political leaders, economists, demographers, journalists, health personnel and so on – to explore causes, consequences and policy issues regarding undocumented migration from Bangladesh to West Bengal. In this study undocumented migrants are defined as those who have entered West Bengal without valid documents in post-1971 period

The study reveals that though undocumented migration from Bangladesh to West Bengal has been a continuous process, the peak period was during and after the Bangladesh liberation war in 1971. Immediately following Mujibur Rehman’s assassination on 15 August 1975, too, migration took place extensively. The main reasons for this massive migration during the period of 1971-80, as discerned from the multiple responses  of different professionals  are:

•  liberation war in Bangladesh

•  Mujibur's assassination in Bangladesh

•  political instability in Bangladesh

•  lack of safety and security for Hindu families mainly due to war

•  religious issue and communal tension affecting mainly Hindus during regime of Ziaur Rahman (1975-81).

•  economic and job opportunity in West Bengal

     Undocumented migration from Bangladesh has contributed to increased fertility and child population in West Bengal due again to a number of factors:

•  illiteracy of migrants belonging to lower strata

•  migration by family

•  unawareness about family planning

•  lack of easy access to scientific family planning methods 

•  sexual abuse and unwanted children

     Settlement of migrants mostly in unhygienic conditions coupled with poor nutrition, improper medical and health care facilities, lack of safe drinking water and sanitation, poverty, illiteracy, social unawareness, the new environment, unsettled conditions have contributed to morbidity and child mortality in West Bengal. Economic depression, lack of industrialisation, social insecurity, demographic explosion, political instability, the domination of religious fundamentalists in Bangladesh, cultural similarity, and homo-ethnic climate in West Bengal are the main motivating factors behind the migration phenomenon.

The agricultural sector in West Bengal was improved wherever migrants have settled. Being hardy and industrious they helped to improve farming and production of food crops in West Bengal. Household industry including bidi, pottery, mat, candle, kantha stitch, ganjee factory, and Shantipuri tant have improved  since illegal migrants provide cheap labour. Two factors have worked against local workers. One is the easy availability, and readiness of the migrant worker to work at a very low wage rate. The other is the general impression that the migrant workers are more hardworking. The continuous inflow of migrants has also aggravated the unemployment problem in the unorganised informal sector. Deforestation, land grab, trade grab, illegal occupancy of pavements and railway platforms by undocumented migrants are creating pressure on natural resources. Pre-existing slums have also grown.

Different political parties at different periods gave illegal migrants protection due to which local administrations could not impose strict law and order. Illegal migrants are enrolled in voters list and used as vote banks. Indian politicians have often therefore, encouraged Bangladeshi migration. It is now almost impossible to separate them from India citizens. Though many migrants came with the intention of getting permanent jobs, circumstances have often forced them to grab whatever opportunities came their way and to take shelter in the underworld economy to gain a livelihood.

The main antisocial activities illegal migrants are involved in include smuggling, robbery and associated crime, prostitution, beggary, and trafficking in women and children. The kind of social tension created by immigrants in Assam and Tripura has not been seen in West Bengal.  Social tension regarding the occupation of alluvial land among the old and new settlers of Bangladeshi origin is however, a point of note. The circulatory nature of these illegal migrants in the border area has resulted in dual citizenship of these migrants.

Regarding policy matters some argue that the immigrants should be absorbed on humanitarian grounds. Granting special work permits in some cases is also required. Repatriation may be a solution in other cases. Fencing and strengthening BSF presence can minimise infiltration to some extent with the help of local cooperation. It requires proper implementation and monitoring of fencing with efficiency and transparency, political commitment and strong goodwill. About 70% of the respondents do not support granting of resident permit to the illegal migrants since India is already overcrowded with existing population and believe that they should be deported as quickly as possible. Providing support to the migrant population is not a solution, though it may be needed at some stage. Bipartite agreement and policies to improve the economic well-being of Bangladesh may be the long-term solutions.