The Odisha government has stepped up vigil along its 480-kilometer coastline to prevent influx of people from turmoil hit Bangladesh, a senior police officer said. The State is located about 200 kilometres away from the Bangladesh coast.

“People from Bangladesh used to (illegally) enter Odisha using small boats. According to information received through different channels, it is learnt that many criminal elements have come out of jails during the unrest in Bangladesh. Those elements may try to sneak into India,” Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Sanjay Kumar, said.