On 31 January 2025, police reported the arrest of 27 Bangladeshis who were illegally residing and working near Kochi. The arrests were made during a joint operation by Ernakulam Rural Police and the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in North Paravur, Ernakulam district.
The individuals, who were posing as migrant workers from West Bengal, had been working at various locations in the area. Authorities are currently conducting detailed interrogations of those arrested, according to a senior police official.
These arrests are part of an ongoing special operation called ‘Operation Clean,’ which was initiated by Ernakulam Rural District Police Chief Vaibhav Saxena after the arrest of 28-year-old Thaslima Begum two weeks prior. Acting on a tip-off about the presence of Bangladeshi nationals in North Paravur, the police, supported by the ATS, conducted the search.
Two Bangladeshi women, Kobitiba (22) and Rubina Sheikh (19), were also arrested in Kochi. They had crossed the border from West Bengal, obtained fake Aadhaar cards in Bengaluru, and eventually settled in Kerala. Both women are now in judicial custody. This comes after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had previously warned about Bangladeshi terrorists infiltrating India using fraudulent identities. While migrant workers are aware of the situation, many remain silent out of fear.
Upon verification, it was confirmed that the arrested individuals were Bangladeshi nationals who had illegally entered India, presenting themselves as Indian citizens. They had crossed the border from West Bengal, where they procured fake documents, including Aadhaar cards, through agents before moving to Kochi.
They were employed in various sectors, with some staying in labor camps. Police are continuing their investigation into their activities. A senior officer stated that more details would be disclosed later, noting that this could be the largest arrest of Bangladeshi nationals in India in a month.
With these latest arrests, the total number of Bangladeshi nationals detained in the Ernakulam rural district this month has risen to 34. Following the operation, police have decided to extend their investigation into West Bengal to trace the agents responsible for facilitating illegal border crossings and issuing counterfeit documents.
(With Inputs From ETV Bharat)
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