Government Panel Assesses Illegal Immigration in Jammu

A high-level government panel led by retired Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar visited Jammu from August 10 to August 12, 2026, to assess demographic changes resulting from illegal immigration. Part of the High-powered Demography Mission announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and approved by the Union Cabinet, the committee is tasked with suggesting measures to address demographic shifts across India and is expected to submit a final report within one year.

During the three-day visit, the delegation met with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat to review demographic trends. The panel inspected a Rohingya settlement in the Narwal area and visited the Jagti Migrant Township, the largest colony for Kashmiri Pandits. The committee also engaged with representatives from the Gurkha community and refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Parallel to the assessment, BJP leader Sunil Sharma alleged that Pakistan is attempting to alter the region's demographic fabric through infiltration and illegal settlement. Sharma claimed that after failing to remove Hindus from the Kashmir valley, conspirators infiltrated illegal citizens into Jammu to change the demographics. Government data indicates over 13,700 foreign nationals, including Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, reside in the Jammu and Samba districts, prompting calls from right-wing groups for their identification and deportation.