Authorities in Karnataka are grappling with a growing concern over illegal immigration after the arrest of a Bangladeshi national in Malpe, Udupi district. The investigation has revealed disturbing information about the extensive network of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing in the state. The accused, Mohammad Manik Hussain, was apprehended while preparing to leave for Dubai. This incident has exposed a broader issue of fake documents, illegal immigration, and human trafficking operations in the coastal regions.
According to police sources, during the interrogation, the accused revealed that approximately 25,000 people had entered Karnataka illegally from Bangladesh over the past 3 to 5 years. However, It is estimated that more than 100,000 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants may be residing across various places of the state, with many having integrated themselves into local communities using forged documents like Aadhaar cards, passports, and voter IDs.
The immigrants primarily enter through the porous borders of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. From there, they disperse to various parts of the country, including Karnataka, where they settle in regions such as Shimoga, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Bengaluru. They arrive under the guise of seeking employment, gradually establishing themselves with the help of agents who facilitate their entry and provide counterfeit identity documents.
The case has raised fears that the Udupi district is home to a network of agents involved in human trafficking and document forgery. Police are currently investigating the extent of this operation, including how the accused obtained fake Aadhaar and other identity cards. The arrest has also highlighted how these immigrants manage to blend into the community, work for years, and even buy property, using fraudulent means to appear as legitimate residents.
One of the key issues revealed during the investigation is the use of duplicate documents prepared at the border, which allows immigrants to disperse across the country. Once in Karnataka, they tend to learn local languages, find jobs, and eventually attempt to move to countries like Dubai. The recent arrest of Mohammad Manik Hussain has confirmed this pattern. Manik was planning to move to Dubai, having arranged for a visa through a friend, Ainul, who works in construction in Dubai. Ainul, who himself had lived in West Bengal, facilitated Manik’s attempt to leave India using fake documents, which is now under further investigation.
The police have stepped up their efforts to uncover the broader network. With over 25,000 illegal immigrants estimated to have entered Karnataka alone, the task is enormous. Authorities are now focused on tracing the agents and brokers responsible for bringing these individuals into the state, and they are calling for greater vigilance from local police stations.
Udupi Superintendent of Police, Dr K. Arun, emphasized the need for collaboration among various agencies, including the Border Security Force (BSF), the Army, and both Central and State Governments, to tackle this issue effectively. He acknowledged that illegal immigrants often enter the country through multiple channels, including bus, train, or other means, making it difficult to track their movement once they are inside India.
The situation in Malpe has also reignited fears that the coastal regions of Karnataka, including Mangaluru, are becoming hubs for illegal immigration and human trafficking. In the past, there have been incidents involving groups from Sri Lanka attempting to migrate illegally via sea routes from Mangaluru. Such incidents raise concerns over maritime security and the effective monitoring of coastal areas.
In 2021, Mangaluru police intercepted and arrested 38 Sri Lankan nationals who were allegedly planning to board a boat to Canada. The police discovered that agents had promised them jobs abroad, and the group was staying in a lodge in Mangaluru while awaiting further instructions. The investigation into this incident was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), highlighting the seriousness of such illegal activities. The NIA has since been probing the use of maritime routes for smuggling and human trafficking.
The latest revelation underscores the need for a coordinated response. Authorities must ensure that brokers and agents who facilitate the illegal entry of immigrants are brought to justice. The Central and State Governments have been urged to take swift action, including stronger border monitoring and stricter verification processes for identity documents. Furthermore, there is a call for intelligence agencies to increase their vigilance and cooperation with local law enforcement.
The police continue to investigate the recent case, with efforts underway to identify other illegal immigrants who may have integrated into communities across Karnataka. Authorities are particularly concerned about using fake documents, making it difficult to detect these individuals once they have settled. This situation poses a challenge to national security and highlights the need for strengthened policies and procedures to curb illegal immigration.
The police have stated that brokers bringing labour from other states need to be prosecuted, and they are expanding their investigation to identify others who may be involved. Following the incident in Malpe, the authorities have interrogated 8 to 10 people so far, and further action is expected as the investigation unfolds.
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