Agartala: In a major breakthrough, Tripura police have apprehended Hannan Mia, a notorious human trafficking mastermind who was listed among the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) most wanted. The arrest took place in the Rastar Matha area of Bishalgarh in Tripura, bringing an end to a significant chapter in the fight against human trafficking in the region.
Hannan Mia, hailing from the Moti Nagar area in the Sepahijala district of Tripura, had a reward of one lakh rupees announced by the NIA for his capture. Following his arrest, a three-member NIA team from Assam promptly arrived in Tripura to secure a transit remand. The remand was granted, and Mia was transported to Guwahati to be produced before the special NIA court.
Police sources said that they have been on the lookout for Hannan Mia since the NIA announced his name. His capture is a result of coordinated efforts to dismantle the human trafficking network active in the border areas of India and Bangladesh.
Mia faces charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121A (conspiracy to commit offences punishable by death or life imprisonment), 153A(1) (promoting enmity between different groups), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 465 (forgery), 471 (using forged documents), 295A (deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings), 109 (abetment), and 370 (human trafficking). He is also charged under sections 12(1)(a), 12(1A)(a)(b), and 12(2) of the Indian Passport Act, 1967.
Sources indicate that evidence of Mia’s connections with terror groups has been found, adding a layer of complexity to his criminal profile. This arrest marks a significant victory for law enforcement agencies striving to curb human trafficking and related crimes in the region.
This recent development underscores the ongoing efforts by Indian authorities to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking. The coordinated operation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Assam Police, in collaboration with multiple state police forces, highlights the extensive network facilitating the illegal entry of Rohingyas into India. The arrests of 47 individuals across several states, including Tripura, Assam, West Bengal, Karnataka, Haryana, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, reveal the widespread nature of this issue. The crackdown follows the detection of a group of Rohingyas in February 2023, which prompted heightened vigilance and operations leading to the interception of 450 illegal migrants at the Indo-Bangladesh border. This joint effort marks a significant stride in addressing cross-border infiltration and ensuring national security.
