Bangladeshi national Mumtaz Begum and 36 Bangladeshi nationals have been nabbed by Kerala’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). Investigations have revealed that Mumtaz Begum is one of the kingpins involved in providing identity proofs to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Kerala using local addresses.
According to investigators, such a large-scale activity requires an organised team and coordination for bringing illegal immigrants into Kerala, settling them in different parts of the state, and subsequently providing them with Indian legal documents.
Reports of ID Proofs Being Manufactured in Kerala
There are reports that identity proofs for Bangladeshis are being manufactured in Kerala. It is alleged that they receive assistance from terrorist sleeper cells in these activities. Some Akshaya Centres have also come under the scanner in connection with the case. Akshaya Centres are government-initiated e-centers in Kerala that act as a one-stop shop for citizens to access essential digital public services.
Bangladeshi national Mumtaz Begum is alleged to be the kingpin of this identity-proof “business”. She was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad on June 8 from Kulasekharapuram in Kollam district. Her ration card bears a Kerala address — “Heera Mahal, Adinad Thekku, Kulasekharapuram Panchayat”.
The ATS has also arrested 36 Bangladeshis in recent days.
Network Providing Documents to Illegal Immigrants
There are active rackets in Kerala that allegedly facilitate Aadhaar cards, Voter ID cards, ration cards, and all necessary documents for Bangladeshi infiltrators. It is alleged that terrorist sleeper cells extend wholehearted support to these activities.
Investigators say that Bangladeshi infiltrators used to approach Mumtaz Begum for forged documents. For this purpose, addresses in Bengal or Assam were allegedly used in the process of preparing the documents.
Recently, in another case, police arrested a Bangladeshi national, locally known as Jewel King, who had been living in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district for nearly five years without attracting official attention.
The report raised questions about verification mechanisms and the ease with which illegal immigrants are able to establish themselves in different parts of the country.
ATS Discovers Larger Team
The ATS has reportedly discovered that there is a large team, manned by several anti-national activists, working to bring Bangladeshis into Kerala and help them settle in different parts of the state.
According to the investigation, the network operated in a coordinated manner, assisting illegal immigrants with accommodation, local addresses, and the procurement of Indian identity documents.
Centre Constitutes High-Level Committee on Demographic Change
Against the backdrop of national security concerns and illegal immigration, the Union Government has constituted a High-Level Committee on Demographic Change to study demographic changes arising from illegal immigration and other abnormal reasons and to recommend policy measures.
