Mangaluru: The Surathkal police have arrested eight Bangladeshi nationals who were allegedly residing illegally in India and working as construction labourers at the Srinivas Hospital construction site in Mukka.
The arrests were made on Thursday night following a verification drive conducted by the Surathkal police based on specific intelligence regarding the presence of suspected illegal migrants at under-construction buildings in the area.
The arrested have been identified as Mohammed Mukhtar Ali (36), Mohammed Rakibur Hussain (44), Mohammed Azrul Islam (36), Mohammed Zaid Husain (18), Mohammed Bilal Hussain (36), Mohammed Hasibul Hasan Shanto (37), Mohammed Samiul Hasan (23) and Mohammed Saibur Rahman.
Police acted on credible information
According to Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Surathkal Police Sub-Inspector Raghu Nayak received credible information regarding the alleged illegal stay of Bangladeshi nationals near construction sites in Mukka.
Acting on the tip-off, the officer, along with a police team, conducted a verification of about 54 workers residing in makeshift huts near two under-construction buildings.
During the inspection, police reportedly recovered Bangladeshi identity documents belonging to eight individuals. They were taken into custody and brought to the Surathkal police station for detailed questioning.
Following interrogation, the eight individuals were formally arrested.
Allegedly entered India through West Bengal
Police said the accused allegedly entered India illegally from Bangladesh around three months ago through Murshidabad in West Bengal.
According to the police commissioner, the accused allegedly affixed their photographs onto Aadhaar cards belonging to residents of Murshidabad, obtained colour photocopies of those documents and used them to secure employment as construction workers in Mukka.
Investigators stated that the group had reportedly been working at the Srinivas Hospital construction site for nearly two months.
FRRO informed, deportation process to follow
Senior police officers informed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) about the arrests. Acting on the FRRO’s directions, the accused were formally arrested and kept at the police station.
Police said the eight individuals will subsequently be handed over to the FRRO, which will initiate further legal procedures under the applicable laws governing foreign nationals residing illegally in India.
Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said that, after the completion of the investigation and legal formalities, the FRRO will take steps to deport the accused to Bangladesh.
No evidence against contractors, says police
The police commissioner clarified that the accused had allegedly obtained employment by producing Aadhaar cards prepared in Murshidabad.
However, the investigation has not found any evidence so far to suggest that the contractors at the construction site were aware that the Aadhaar cards had allegedly been fraudulently obtained or that they knowingly employed illegal migrants.
Police added that in similar cases involving illegal migrants, the accused often remain in India until the legal process is completed before deportation is carried out by the competent authorities.
Further investigation into the case is in progress.