Patna, July 8 (IANS) Security agencies have arrested a Bangladeshi national near the India-Nepal border in Bihar’s East Champaran district during a joint operation conducted by the district police and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

The arrest was made near the Maitri Bridge at Custom Chowk under the Haraiya police station area, where the suspect was allegedly attempting to cross into Nepal.

According to the police, security personnel were conducting routine surveillance and document verification along the India-Nepal border on Wednesday when they noticed a man behaving suspiciously near the border crossing.

During questioning, he allegedly failed to produce valid documents establishing his legal stay in India.

He was immediately detained and later arrested with the assistance of the SSB.

The arrested individual has been identified as Md. Shyam Hussain, son of Giasuddin, a resident of Baroegaon village under Srinagar police station in Munshiganj district of Bangladesh.

Preliminary investigations revealed that he had allegedly been living illegally in India for a considerable period and was attempting to leave the country through the Nepal border.

Police are interrogating the accused to determine when and through which route he entered India.

Officials are also examining whether he was assisted by an organised network or intended to travel onward to another country through Nepal. His contacts, activities and movements during his stay in India are also being verified.

Investigators are further verifying his identity documents and examining the duration and circumstances of his alleged illegal stay.

“Action is being taken against the arrested Bangladeshi national under the relevant legal provisions applicable to foreign nationals. A detailed investigation into his documents, identity, and the duration of his stay in India is underway. After completion of the investigation, he will be produced before the court, and further legal proceedings will be initiated in accordance with the law,” an official spokesperson of the East Champaran Police said.

The Haraiya and Raxaul sectors of East Champaran remain under heightened surveillance because of their proximity to the India-Nepal border.

Police and the SSB regularly conduct joint operations to prevent illegal border crossings, human trafficking and the use of forged documents.

Officials said surveillance in the border region would continue and strict legal action would be taken against individuals found residing illegally in India or attempting unauthorised cross-border movement.

–IANS

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