New Delhi: In a significant breakthrough under the ongoing crackdown against illegal immigration, the East District Police of Delhi apprehended twelve Bangladeshi nationals residing unlawfully in the Anand Vihar area.
The arrests are part of an intensified enforcement initiative launched on November 19, 2024, aimed at identifying and acting against unauthorized foreign nationals.
According to police officials, those detained include both adults and minors, all originally hailing from the village of Kalirhat under Phulbari police station in Kurigram district, Bangladesh. Among the apprehended are:
- A 30-year-old male from Bangladesh.
- Ispa, daughter of Sh. Islam, aged 21.
- A minor girl, aged 8, daughter of AS.
- A 6-year-old boy, son of AS.
- A 2-year-old boy, son of AS.
- Mujidul, son of Md. Islam, aged 28.
- Iirin Akhtar, wife of Mujidul, aged 18.
- A 3-year-old boy, son of ML.
- A 9-month-old girl, daughter of ML.
- Muslima Begum, wife of Sh. Islam, aged 46.
- A 13-year-old boy, son of IM.
All individuals were found to be residing in Delhi without valid documents and are believed to have entered India through unauthorized riverine routes along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The police have stated that these apprehensions were made following a carefully planned surveillance and verification operation conducted by the Special Staff of East District.
Legal Action Initiated
Following the arrest, legal procedures have been set in motion in coordination with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Delhi. Deportation proceedings have been formally initiated for all adult illegal residents.
In the case of the six minors among the group, appropriate child welfare protocols are being strictly followed, ensuring their rights and safety are safeguarded as per Indian law.
“The minors are being handled with sensitivity, and child protection agencies have been notified. Their well-being is our priority,” a senior official confirmed.
Broader Crackdown on Illegal Immigration
This action is part of a broader and ongoing enforcement campaign by East Delhi Police, launched late last year to curb illegal immigration in the region. The initiative has already led to the identification and deportation of 37 illegal Bangladeshi nationals so far.
Authorities continue to conduct verification drives across various localities to detect and remove undocumented foreign nationals. Search operations are ongoing and include coordination with local intelligence units, beat constables, and regional surveillance networks.
Officials noted that many illegal immigrants manage to settle in urban clusters by blending in with local populations, often using forged documents or relying on informal labor markets to remain under the radar.
Police Reaffirm Security Commitment
The East Delhi Police reiterated their commitment to upholding national security and ensuring the rule of law is maintained without compromise. “The presence of unauthorized foreign nationals poses not just legal but also security concerns,” the police said in a statement. “We are conducting these operations in a systematic, legal, and humane manner, and we will continue to do so with unwavering focus.”
Authorities have also appealed to local residents to report any suspicious activity or unknown individuals in their neighborhoods. Helplines and citizen information channels have been activated for anonymous tip-offs, which police say are proving valuable in identifying cases of illegal stay.
The crackdown aligns with a larger national push to monitor cross-border movements and enforce immigration laws more stringently. As part of these measures, local police stations have been directed to maintain updated lists of foreign nationals residing in their jurisdictions and to verify their documentation periodically.
Looking Ahead
With the campaign still underway, officials indicated that more arrests could follow in the coming weeks as verification drives are intensified. The police emphasized the importance of community support in tackling the issue and called for public cooperation.
As deportation proceedings continue in coordination with immigration authorities, the East Delhi Police remain vigilant, signaling a firm stance against illegal immigration and reinforcing the message that violations of national boundaries and laws will not be tolerated.
