THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A report has surfaced indicating that there are around fifty thousand foreign refugees among the foreign workers in Kerala. The report, released by the Central Military Intelligence, raises serious concerns. It states that refugees, primarily from neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, are among the foreign workers in the state, using fake Aadhaar cards. These fake Aadhaar cards are being produced in various locations across India, including Kerala.

Refugees are utilizing these counterfeit Aadhaar cards to reside in different states under the false pretense of being Indian citizens. Furthermore, it has been discovered that Indian nationals with criminal backgrounds are also using fake Aadhaar cards to flee the country. Investigations have revealed that Aadhaar centers in Madhupur and Naugaon in Assam, Kalimpong in West Bengal, as well as Nadiya, Uttara Dinajpur, Perumbavoor and Malappuram in Kerala, have been compromised resulting in the production of fake Aadhaar cards.

In response to the military intelligence report, the Border Security Force (BSF) has escalated surveillance along the borders with neighboring states. A year ago, central intelligence agencies had also hinted at infiltration occurring in Kerala through the use of fake Aadhaar cards. In February, a central agency reported that fifty Aadhaar IDs were forged by infiltrating the online Aadhaar system of the Akshaya Kendra in Malappuram Thriprangode. The intrusion originated from Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in Bengal and Jharkhand.

Under the Aadhaar Act, the production of fake Aadhaar cards is punishable by a fine of up to one lakh rupees and imprisonment for up to three years. Investigations conducted by the Anti-Terrorist Squad have revealed widespread use of these counterfeit cards in Kerala. The state is home to lakhs of foreign workers across various districts, making it nearly impossible to accurately track them due to the influx of new arrivals daily.

Federal law prohibits the restriction or prohibition of any citizen from entering a state. It is this legal loophole that enables refugees to stay in Kerala by obtaining fake Aadhaar cards. The Kerala Police is also treating the matter seriously, particularly in light of the increasing cases of theft, murder, and organized crime involving foreign workers in the state. In response to the release of the report, inspections will be intensified in the coming days.