Mangaluru (Karnataka), July 13 (IANS) Three Bangladeshi nationals were arrested by the Urva police on Monday during a special verification drive in communally-sensitive Mangaluru, as the police intensified their crackdown on illegal immigrants suspected to be living and working in different parts of the coastal city.

The arrests were made during the ongoing operation launched across all police station limits under the Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate following Intelligence inputs about the presence of illegal Bangladeshi migrants in the region.

According to police, the three were traced while officers were verifying the identity of workers employed at a building in the KPT-Kuntikana area.

During questioning, the suspects allegedly admitted to being Bangladeshi nationals staying in the country illegally. Their interrogation subsequently led police to another group of suspected illegal migrants, who are also being questioned.

Earlier, police had traced around eight suspected Bangladeshi nationals working as construction labourers at Mukka in Surathkal. They have been shifted to a temporary holding facility set up within the premises of Mukka Hospital, where they are being interrogated by officials from the police Intelligence wing and other investigating agencies.

Authorities are trying to ascertain how many Bangladeshi migrants entered the region, whether more are staying in different parts of Mangaluru district, and who facilitated their movement and employment.

Investigators are also probing the role of agents or middlemen who allegedly helped them secure work and accommodation, besides examining financial transactions and local contacts.

Mangaluru Police Commissioner, Sudheer Kumar Reddy, had about a month ago, directed all police stations under the commissionerate to launch a special drive after receiving Intelligence inputs that illegal Bangladeshi migrants had infiltrated several parts of Mangaluru.

Officials suspect that illegal migrants are residing in localities such as Mangaluru city, Surathkal, Katipalla, Ullal, Bengre and Dakke. They are believed to have found employment in the construction sector, road projects, small and large industries, port-related activities and the fishing sector.

Following the Commissioner’s directions, police teams have stepped up inspections and document verification drives across the city.

Authorities said the operation will continue in the coming days to identify and apprehend more illegal migrants and those who may have assisted them in entering or staying in the country unlawfully. Investigations are continuing.

–IANS

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