Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Police have intensified their ongoing drive against undocumented immigrants, detaining three more suspected Bangladeshi nationals from a construction site under the jurisdiction of the Urwa police station. The latest action comes days after eight suspected Bangladeshi labourers were detained from Mukka near Surathkal, as part of a city-wide verification campaign ordered by the police commissioner.
Three detained during verification drive
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, personnel from the Urwa police station conducted a verification drive at a construction site along the KPT–Kuntikana stretch on Sunday. During the inspection, three labourers were identified as suspected Bangladeshi nationals who were allegedly residing in India without valid documents.
Following their detention, the individuals were subjected to detailed questioning. Based on information gathered during the interrogation, police tracked down another group of eight persons. Officials said these individuals are currently being questioned to verify their identity, nationality and legal status in the country.
The police are yet to officially confirm whether the second group has also been detained, as the verification process is still underway.
Commissioner orders intensified surveillance
The latest operation is part of a broader crackdown initiated by Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, who had directed all police stations within the commissionerate limits about a month ago to identify and take action against illegal immigrants.
Under the directive, police stations have been carrying out systematic inspections at construction sites, industrial establishments, labour camps and other workplaces where migrant workers are employed.
The drive first resulted in the detention of eight suspected Bangladeshi nationals from a construction site in Mukka on July 9. Since then, surveillance has been expanded to several areas across the city, including Katipalla, Ullal, Bengre and the fisheries bunder, where a significant number of migrant labourers are employed.
Officials said the objective is to verify the identity and legal status of workers while ensuring compliance with immigration and labour regulations.
Mukka detainees continue to be questioned
The eight suspected Bangladeshi nationals detained earlier from Mukka remain under police custody at a temporary holding facility set up within a local hospital campus.
According to police sources, multiple specialised units, including intelligence personnel, are jointly questioning the detainees to gather information about their entry into India and possible links with organised networks.
Investigators are attempting to determine the route allegedly used to cross the international border, identify others who may have entered the country through similar means, and establish whether any local agents or employers facilitated their movement and employment.
The investigation is also examining financial transactions that may have been involved in the alleged human trafficking or illegal migration network.
Officials said the inquiry is aimed at identifying any wider network that may be operating in the region and ensuring appropriate legal action wherever required.
Employers asked to verify workers’ documents
As part of the ongoing enforcement drive, the police have instructed officers to closely monitor construction sites, road projects, industries and fisheries, where large numbers of migrant workers are employed.
Entrepreneurs, builders, contractors and business owners have been verbally instructed to verify the identity documents of every worker before employment. Police have emphasised the need to examine physical identity documents as well as biometric records wherever applicable.
Employers have also been advised to immediately inform the nearest police station if they suspect that any worker is a foreign national without valid documentation.
Officials said compliance by employers would play an important role in preventing illegal immigration and ensuring that only authorised workers are employed across various sectors.
Police seek public cooperation
The Mangaluru City Police have appealed to residents to remain alert and share information about any suspicious individuals or unregistered groups residing in their neighbourhoods.
Citizens have been requested to report such information to their local police station or senior police officers so that appropriate verification can be carried out.
Police have assured the public that the identity of informants will be kept confidential during the course of the investigation.
Officials said the verification drive will continue across the commissionerate limits in the coming days as authorities work to identify undocumented foreign nationals and strengthen enforcement of immigration laws.