The whereabouts of nearly 75 Bangladeshi nationals arrested last year remain unknown, raising serious concerns about the state’s handling of illegal immigration. Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai has strongly criticised the government for its failure to address such sensitive issues.
The lack of accountability among officials has exposed significant gaps in the state’s security system and the country’s borders. Allegations suggest that illegal immigrants, including Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals, move freely across states with a network that helps them acquire identity cards, such as voter IDs, Aadhar, ration cards, and driving licenses, enabling them to find employment in various regions. This well-organised system involves local Jamaats, who assist them with accommodation and protection.
Tamil Nadu police typically arrest such individuals for illegal stay or travel without necessary documentation when their actions lead to law and order issues. The Supreme Court has made it clear that foreign nationals involved in criminal cases cannot leave India without facing charges, as stated in a ruling on January 6.
In this case, 75 illegal migrants were placed in a special camp in Trichy, where foreign nationals involved in crimes in Tamil Nadu are typically detained. Officials stated, “Even after being granted bail, they are supposed to remain in the special camp until they are deported.”
On X, Tamil Nadu BJP leader Annamalai strongly criticised the ruling DMK, calling it a “Drama Model Government” that is clueless, lethargic, and focused more on suppressing opposition voices than maintaining law and order. He accused the state police force of being misused to intimidate social media critics, arrest elderly women over minor protests, and silence journalists, while criminals continue to roam freely.
The Drama Model DMK Government is clueless, lethargic, and a symbol of bureaucratic negligence. The entire police force under this Government in TN is devoted to intimidating social media functionaries of opposition parties, journalists, forming teams to arrest elderly women who… pic.twitter.com/7SmAxb28TT
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 1, 2025
He expressed grave concerns about the disappearance of over 75 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, who were granted bail but were supposed to remain in Trichy’s special camp before trial or deportation. These individuals were part of a group of around 175 foreign nationals arrested for illegal stay and travel without valid documents. Annamalai criticised the DMK government for having no information on their whereabouts, questioning the security lapses and negligence involved.
காணவில்லை, காணவில்லை!
வங்கதேசத்தில் இருந்து சட்டவிரோதமாக தமிழகத்திற்கு குடிபெயர்ந்து, காவல்துறையினரால் கைது செய்யப்பட்டு, பின்பு பிணையில் விடுதலையான 75 வங்கதேசக் குற்றவாளிகள் எங்கே சென்றார்கள், என்ன ஆனார்கள் என யாருக்காவது தெரியுமா? அவர்களைக் கண்காணிக்க வேண்டிய காவல்துறையும்… pic.twitter.com/pCmGGjfcff
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) January 31, 2025
Social media activist Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian has raised questions about why judges granted bail to individuals who were incarcerated for illegal immigration. He pointed out that no other country would so easily grant bail to foreign nationals, knowing they would remain at large. He criticised the Tamil Nadu courts for granting bail to illegal Bangladeshi nationals, asking what guarantee they had. Balasubramanian highlighted the contradiction, noting that while Tamil Nadu fishermen who crossed into Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary were denied bail despite India’s diplomatic requests, the same courts granted bail to the Bangladesh nationals, which he finds perplexing.
போலீஸ் கைது செய்து சிறையில் அடைத்த வங்கதேசிகளுக்கு நீதிபதிகள் ஏன் ஜாமின் கொடுத்தனர்?
எந்த ஒருநாட்டிலும் பிறநாட்டு கைதிகளுக்கு எளிதில் ஜாமின் கொடுக்க மாட்டார்கள். காரணம் தப்பித்து தலைமறைவாகி விடுவார்கள் என்பதால்.
ஆனால் தமிழக நீதிபதிகள் சட்டவிரோத குடியேறி வங்கதேசிகளுக்கு எந்த… pic.twitter.com/RCNFcBkOJr
— Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian (Modi ka Pariwar) (@BS_Prasad) February 1, 2025
On January 24, 2025, ATS units from Coimbatore conducted searches across multiple locations in Tiruppur, acting on intelligence inputs. During the operation, 20 individuals were detained in the 15-Velampalayam area, six in Tiruppur South, and 10 in Nallur. Initial investigations revealed that the arrested individuals worked as daily-wage laborers in knitwear and construction companies.
திருப்பூரில் வங்கதேசத்தினர் 28 பேர் கைது#Tiruppur | #Bangladesh| #Arresthttps://t.co/y4W3uzOWeZ pic.twitter.com/gP6TUEBx6M
— Dinamalar (@dinamalarweb) January 25, 2025
Along with the 36 arrests made on January 24, 2025, 12 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended earlier this week during a raid in the Nallur area. Police carried out document verification drives, including checks on Aadhaar identity cards, to identify individuals residing illegally.
திருப்பூரில் வங்கதேசத்தினர் 12 பேர் கைது#Tirupur | #citypolice | #arrested | #bangladesh https://t.co/y4W3uzOWeZ pic.twitter.com/aeQCL4yxQu
— Dinamalar (@dinamalarweb) January 28, 2025
In January, police arrested 98 Bangladeshi nationals in Tiruppur district for staying without valid documents. Arrests have been ongoing in both Tiruppur and Coimbatore districts, where many illegal migrants find work in hosiery units and industries. Additionally, they take up odd jobs in construction, farming, and as masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and mechanic assistants. These individuals typically reside in groups at temporary or permanent shelters.
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