Hans News Service Mangaluru

EightBangladeshi nationals allegedly staying in India illegally were detained from a construction site in Mangaluru after police uncovered what they suspect was an organised network facilitating illegal migration and employment.

The operation was conducted by Surathkal police on July 9 following specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of foreign nationals at an under-construction building.

Police verified the identity documents of 54 labourers working at the site and identified eight men as Bangladeshi citizens. Investigators said the workers had entered India about three months ago by crossing the international border through Murshidabad district in West Bengal without valid passports or visas. According to police, the men later obtained colour photocopies of Aadhaar cards bearing West Bengal addresses, with their photographs affixed, and used them while seeking employment. They had reportedly been working at the construction site in Mukka for nearly two months.

Detailed verification of their Bangladeshi National Identity Cards, birth certificates and family documents confirmed that they were citizens of Bangladesh, police said.

The matter has been reported to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Bengaluru, which will initiate legal proceedings, including detention and deportation if required.

Police are now probing the network that facilitated the workers’ illegal entry into India and their subsequent employment in Karnataka.