London: Indians have become the third-largest group of migrants entering UK shores illegally across the English Channel on dangerous small boats, according to The Times, a UK based newspapers quoting Home Office sources.
Paper reports that about 250 Indians migrants have made the dangerous crossing in small boats this year alone, more than 233 who crossed the Channel in the last year – making them the third largest cohort after Afghans and Syrians. Indian migrants now third largest group
An increasing number of Indians (many of them students) are travelling to Britain illegally on small boats and claiming asylum, party driven by a desire to bypass international student’s fees and pay low domestic fees according to The Time. Indian migrants now third largest group
Dwindling spaces of diversity amid rising wave of Hindutva has been spoiling the overall internal situation in India with adverse impact on the job market and on the conductive environment in educational institutions. While quoting Home Office officials the paper says that Serbia’s visa free travel rule for Indians was providing an illegal gateway into Europe.
Until January 1’ 2023, all Indian passport holders were able to enter Serbia without a visa for up to 30 days but now such arrangement has been stopped. Despite that Indians are still seen trying to use boats to illegally enter EU and subsequently UK.
Travelling by land across Europe to France and then waiting in the Calais Jungle to pay smugglers to come to the UK on small boats is a well-worn route for illegal migrants (Indians) to enter UK.
Home Office Official statistics show that between Jan and Sep 2022 around 233 Indians illegally entered UK on small boats. In that period, they were the 13th highest number to come. In 2021, around 67 Indians arrived on this route and in 2020 there were 64 Indians.
According to another report by the Refugee Council, during 2022 in total 45,746 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats to reach the UK. Of these an estimated 323 were Indians.
It is pertinent that in last year 2022 a four member Indian family was frozen to death while illegally crossing the US-Canada border in search of a better future.
Illegal migration by Indians is on increase since last few years manifesting true picture of India behind the face masquerade of ‘Shining India’ were hordes of Indian nationals getting victim of illegal trafficking rackets their lives and money to get the future they desire. Modi’s slogans for so-called ‘shining India’ and ‘Aache din’ are proving to be pack of lies.
Please visit our website London Institute of Peace Research for latest peace news
