Mangaluru police arrest three agents for illegal Bangladeshi immigration

The Mangaluru Police on Tuesday arrested three agents accused of facilitating the illegal entry and employment of Bangladeshi immigrants in Mangaluru, following the detention of several Bangladeshi nationals on Monday.

The arrested agents were identified as Moyiddin Islam, Dilawar Hussain, and Rasul Islam, all hailing from West Bengal. According to the police, the accused brought workers from northern states to Mangaluru for construction work. While claiming to arrange employment for Indian labourers, they allegedly facilitated the movement of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants into the coastal city.

One of the agents, Rasul Islam, was traced and arrested in Kolkata with the assistance of the local police. He will be brought to Mangaluru on a transit warrant for further questioning. Earlier, the Mangaluru police had also registered an FIR against a West Bengal-based agent in connection with the case.

The arrests followed the detention of 11 alleged Bangladeshi nationals on Monday, who were found staying and working at various construction sites in Mangaluru. The police revealed that the total number of identified illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the city has recently increased to 19, which includes four minors.

An investigation revealed that the detained individuals had entered India without valid documents and subsequently obtained identity documents showing addresses in West Bengal. The police recovered Bangladeshi national identity cards, birth certificates, and other documents from the detainees, which helped establish their actual nationality.

The Mangaluru Police have reported the case to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), and further proceedings under relevant immigration laws are underway.

A senior police officer stated that those identified as Bangladeshi nationals will be handed over to the FRRO. They will be kept at detention centres as per the prescribed procedure until the FRRO passes orders on their deportation.

Investigators are also examining whether more people are involved in the alleged interstate network and whether similar activities are taking place elsewhere in the coastal region.

The police officer added that officers have verified more than 300 suspected individuals so far, and the majority were found to be Indian citizens. The officer stated that they are following up on every lead to identify if there are more illegal immigrants staying in the city, and those found to be Bangladeshi nationals are being dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.