Gurugram, June 16 (IANS) In a major success for Gurugram Police, 13 Bangladeshi nationals were detained in the city during an operation against illegal infiltrators.

Addressing the media, ACP Crime Naveen Sharma said searches are being conducted against illegal immigrants in view of national security and law and order.”

“We had received information about Bangladeshi nationals who had been illegally residing in the city without valid documents. The crime branch has detained those people from different areas of the city,” he said.

The police official said that some of the Bangladeshi nationals were living in slums, while some were working at construction sites.

He added: “13 of them have been detained after a search operation and interrogation. We have recovered Bangladeshi identity cards from them. Also, they used Bangladesh-based phone numbers to speak to their family members.”

“Some have been staying for two months, some for four months. They had entered India via the border in West Bengal,” he mentioned

The search operation has been underway for several days under the supervision of Gurugram Police.

ACP Sharma further mentioned that all detained individuals will be kept at a deportation centre in Manesar till the legal formalities are completed, and will then be deported after the completion of legal procedures.

Search and verification drives are being carried out in colonies, sectors, and slum areas across Gurugram.

Naveen Sharma appealed to citizens, especially hotel owners, landlords and construction site employers, to properly check identity cards and ensure police verification of tenants, domestic helpers, employees, and individuals working in hotels and commercial establishments.

The police have clarified that Indian citizens and foreign nationals residing legally in the country do not need to be concerned about this campaign.

Meanwhile, with India embarking on a mission to deport all illegally entered Bangladeshi nationals from the country, these sections are currently on the radar of ISI-backed elements for subversive activities.

While the main focus currently is in West Bengal and Assam, the drive would, over a period of time, cover the entire nation.

—IANS

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