Mangaluru Police to Escort 21 Alleged Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants to West Bengal

Mangaluru: A team of police personnel from Mangaluru city will escort 21 individuals, believed to be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, to Malda in West Bengal on Sunday. The move follows a recent city-wide drive that identified these individuals residing in Mangaluru with allegedly forged documents, including fake Aadhaar cards.

According to a senior officer from the Mangaluru City Police, the individuals were found staying in areas such as Surathkal, Kodikal, near Karnataka Polytechnic, and Moodibidri. Many of them were employed at construction sites. During the raids, some other Bangladeshi nationals reportedly fled the city, the officer said.

The officer explained that the detention centre in Bengaluru is currently full. Therefore, the city police were directed to keep the 21 individuals in a safe house in Mangaluru. They were also instructed to place these individuals at the Border Security Force's holding centre in Malda, West Bengal, by Wednesday. To comply, a team of city police personnel will travel with the group on Sunday, first to Bengaluru and then onwards to Malda.

Separately, a case has been registered at the Urwa police station against a few local contractors who allegedly brought these immigrants to work at construction sites in Mangaluru. The legal process will now proceed as per the provisions of the Foreigners Act and other applicable laws.

This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to verify the credentials of foreign nationals residing in the country. Authorities urge citizens to report any suspicious activity while also reminding all individuals to carry valid identification and residence documents.