New Delhi: Adopting a tough stand on the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, India on February 16 said these "foreigners" had to be deported "firmly but lawfully".

Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, without naming Bangladesh, said illegal migration from the neighbouring country into India had increased during the recent past.

"A large number of people have come here for various reasons. There are colonies of such people in various parts of the country," he told officers and men of Delhi police on the occasion of its Raising Day.

He said these "foreigners" were living here as Indians and many even possessed ration cards and had got their names entered in voters' lists.

"They all have to be sent back and it is the responsibility of police in all states to do it honestly, lawfully but firmly."

Advani said this problem was the main issue of discussions at the Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries' conferences recently.

"Our borders (with Bangladesh) are such that infiltration is possible even if security forces are there," he said.

PTI