Illegal Migrants from Bangladesh Utilize Isolated Sundarban Islands to Enter Bengal

Kolkata, Dec 25 (NationPress) Security agencies, both central and state, have pinpointed certain isolated islands in the Sundarbans of West Bengal as likely safe havens for Bangladeshi infiltrators illegally crossing into India.

According to sources, 13 of the most vulnerable islands were identified within the Gosaba block in the South 24 Parganas district due to a lack of security measures, attributed to the remoteness of these islands. The Sundarbans region is located in the South 24 Parganas district near the Bangladesh border.

Reports indicate that the Border Security Force (BSF) maintains a camp on only one of these 13 islands, which are frequently used as temporary shelters by local fishermen who venture into deep waters for fishing.

This situation, sources note, makes these islands attractive safe havens for illegal Bangladeshi migrants. They typically enter Indian territory disguised as local fishermen, seek temporary refuge on these islands, and eventually obtain fake Indian documents to blend into the broader population of the district and the nearby state capital, Kolkata.

Another reason these islands are favored by illegal Bangladeshi migrants is their quick and easy access to Kolkata via the Basanti Expressway.

Security agencies, both central and state, have already intensified surveillance along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) with Bangladesh in West Bengal, anticipating illegal crossings by Bangladeshi nationals, including members of underground groups that have re-emerged amid ongoing turmoil in their country.

Sources revealed that the increased surveillance was prompted by two recent incidents: the interception of two Bangladeshi marine vessels for illegally crossing the IMBL and entering Indian waters.

Additionally, intelligence reports suggest that certain members of the Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HUT) are attempting to activate sleeper cells in the bordering districts adjacent to Bangladesh.