Shillong: In a significant development, nine Bangladeshi nationals were arrested recently for illegally entering India through the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, officials confirmed. The arrests were made during a routine check conducted by the police at Dalamgre village, a border area close to Bangladesh.
According to police reports, the infiltrators were traveling in a van when they were intercepted. During the search, authorities seized 12 mobile handsets with multiple SIM cards, Indian currency, fake Aadhaar cards, and other incriminating documents. Two vehicles used by the group were also confiscated.
The West Garo Hills district, which shares a porous border with Bangladesh, has been a focal point for illegal infiltration in recent years. Officials suspect that the arrested individuals may have been attempting to move deeper into Indian territory, possibly for unauthorised work or other activities.
“The arrests highlight the ongoing challenges of securing the border and preventing illegal crossings,” said a senior police official, who requested anonymity. “We are investigating how they obtained Indian documents, including Aadhar cards, and whether they had local assistance.”
The incident has reignited concerns about border security and the potential misuse of Indian identity documents by foreign nationals. Authorities are working to determine the motives behind the infiltration and whether the group has links to larger networks involved in illegal activities.
This arrest comes amid heightened vigilance along the India-Bangladesh border, where huge infiltration attempts have been made by the intruders ever since the political turmoil started in the neighbouring country. Interestingly over 90 percent of the captured infiltrators across Northeastern states are Muslims.
Border Security Force (BSF) in collaboration with state police are working round the clock to curb cross-border crimes, including smuggling and human trafficking. However, the rugged terrain and dense forests in areas like West Garo Hills continue to pose challenges for border security forces.
The nine intruders are currently in police custody and are being interrogated to gather further information. Legal proceedings are underway, and they are expected to be charged under the Foreigners Act and other relevant laws.
Local residents have appealed to the authorities to curb such infiltration attempts by deploying more security personnels in the border areas. While some have praised the police for their vigilance, others have called for stricter measures to prevent such infiltrations in the future.
As investigations continue, the case underscores the need for enhanced border management and cooperation between India and Bangladesh to address the issue of illegal migration effectively.
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