Bhubaneshwar: The Jagatsinghpur district administration on November 17 demolished an illegally constructed house on government land that was allegedly being used to shelter suspected Bangladeshi nationals. The action came barely a day after two police personnel, including a woman constable, were injured in an attack by the occupants of the house located at Beherampur basti under Jagatsinghpur Sadar police limits.
A senior magistrate present during the demolition said the structure had been erected on encroached government land and was under suspicion for harbouring illegal immigrants. “The occupants fled after attacking police on Sunday. The house was clearly built on encroached land and was being used to give shelter to Bangladeshis,” the magistrate said.
Jagatsinghpur District Collector J. Sonal, who supervised the demolition, stressed that the administration was operating within the legal framework. He also directed strict action against field officials who allowed the construction to come up and facilitated an electricity connection to the illegal structure.
DIG,CR,Visited Jagatsinghpur today to review security after recent detentions of suspected Bangladeshi nationals. Met district officials, assessed investigation progress, and ordered stepped‑up efforts to identify & deport illegal infiltrators. #Jagatsinghpur #OdishaPolice pic.twitter.com/xK3JM0fER8
— DIGP, Central Range Cuttack (@igcrcuttack) November 17, 2025
The district administration is now coordinating with West Bengal authorities to verify claims made by some of the occupants that they belonged to districts in that state. “We are examining how the group arrived here, who provided them shelter, and whether they have links to organised crime,” the Collector said, adding that a district-wide verification of similar illegal constructions would be carried out soon.
To prevent further unrest, two platoons of police force about 60 personnel have been deployed in the area.
Probe Zooms in on Sikandar’s International Links
Police have now widened their investigation to track down Sikandar Alam, also known as Siko, who is believed to be the key facilitator behind the arrival and sheltering of suspected Bangladeshis in Beherampur under Tarikunda.
Sikandar, who fled after the raid, is the focus of a massive manhunt. His passport was seized during the operation, revealing that he had travelled to nearly five countries in recent years. The discovery has prompted security agencies to examine whether he maintained international criminal links or was part of a larger cross-border network.
Sikandar had reportedly worked in the Merchant Navy for almost a decade and later at an oil refinery. After returning home, however, he allegedly became involved in illegal activities, including bringing foreign nationals into the district and providing them shelter. Investigators have also found evidence that different forms of “training activities” were conducted at the site.
Two of Sikandar’s sisters Shaoban Azmi and Parveen Bibi were arrested late Sunday night for their suspected involvement in the attack on the police team. Both women were produced in court. A case (No. 912/25) has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), naming Sikandar, his sisters, and his two brothers, Abdul Motalif Khan alias Tiki, and Bahunisha, as accused. Two special police teams are conducting raids across multiple locations to apprehend the absconding suspects.
Verification Drive Begins; Dozens Detained
SP Ankit Kumar Verma said that three people were detained during the first phase of the operation, and more than ten were detained the next day. While some admitted to being Bangladeshi nationals, others failed to produce valid identity documents or proof of residence. Their interrogation is ongoing.
The SP also issued an advisory to homeowners, urging them to verify the identity documents of tenants from outside the state and inform the nearest police station before renting out rooms. He added that coordinated verification drives are being conducted in hotels, guest houses and lodges not only in Jagatsinghpur but across multiple districts in the state and country.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Verification and Deportation
Police have initiated a formal verification process for all detained individuals suspected of being Bangladeshi nationals. Many have produced Aadhaar cards allegedly issued in West Bengal. The Jagatsinghpur SP will forward these Aadhaar details to the respective West Bengal district SPs for verification.
A mandatory 30-day waiting period has been set for receiving confirmation. During this time, all detained individuals will be housed in a special camp created by the district administration.
If verification is not received within the stipulated period, the individuals will be officially declared Bangladeshi nationals, and deportation proceedings will begin under central guidelines.
Illegal Slaughterhouses Uncovered During Raids
During sweeping searches in the area, police discovered multiple illegal slaughterhouses near the demolished structures. Investigators found thick ropes, wooden trunks and bloodstains on nearby trees, indicating that the locations had been used for unlawful butchering operations.
The discovery has deepened the suspicion that the network operating in the area had expanded beyond illegal sheltering and identity fraud into meat-related illegal trade activities.
Illegal Madrasa and Evidence of Immoral Activities Found
In a major revelation, police stated that Sikandar was running an illegal madrasa inside the rented house where the suspected Bangladeshis were staying. Investigations indicate that objectionable teachings may have been imparted at the location.
From several locked rooms, police recovered condoms, contraceptive pills and personal items suggesting immoral activities. Multiple Aadhaar cards found on the premises have raised suspicion that a fake ID manufacturing racket may have been operating there.
Local police believe the case involves not only harbouring foreign nationals but also engaging them in illegal activities, potentially including human trafficking, identity fraud and illegal arms possession.
Special Task Force Formed to Identify Illegal Infiltrators
District Collector J. Sonal informed the formation of a Special Task Force (STF) to identify Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally across Jagatsinghpur district. The administration, following directions from the Chief Minister and under the supervision of the DIG, has launched extensive surveys across more than 1,300 revenue villages and 198 panchayats.
“Strict legal action will be taken against suspicious infiltrators after proper investigation,” the Collector said.
Questions Over Electricity Supply to Illegal Structures
A major controversy has now emerged over how electricity connections were provided to the illegal houses built on grazing (gocharan) land. Officials confirmed that the land where the suspected Bangladeshis lived was meant exclusively for cattle grazing.
Additional scrutiny has revealed that buildings behind the Tarikunda College were also constructed on grazing land. The district administration has ordered a detailed inquiry into the role of the electricity department and how illegal structures received power connections without proper verification.
Collector Sonal stated that a formal explanation would be sought from the department and action initiated accordingly.
Weapons Seized; Multiple Detentions After Attack on Police
Jagatsinghpur SP Ankit Kumar Verma confirmed that two police personnel were injured during the raid on Sunday. Two people have already been arrested and forwarded to court for attacking police officers on duty.During the raid, the police recovered a pistol, several swords and other sharp weapons from the premises. “A special team has been formed to arrest other occupants who fled during the raid,” the SP said.
Preliminary investigation indicates that around 30 suspected Bangladeshis were living. . While 18 had relocated earlier, the others continued to stay there.
According to officials, the Additional SP was also injured during a separate visit to investigate the illegal construction. Following this, a full clearance operation was launched, leading to the seizure of firearms, sharp weapons and incriminating materials.
The district administration later issued show-cause notices to field staff and announced that similar demolition drives would continue across Jagatsinghpur. Both police and revenue officials have been instructed to maintain strict vigilance against encroachments.
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