What Led to the Apprehension of 16 Bangladeshis in East Delhi?

Synopsis
In a significant crackdown, Delhi police have apprehended 16 Bangladeshis, including 7 minors, in Seemapuri. The operation sheds light on illegal immigration and the struggles faced by these individuals. Discover the details of this operation and its implications for the community.
Key Takeaways
- 16 individuals apprehended in Delhi.
- Includes 7 minors among the group.
- Illegal entry into India occurred 18-19 years ago.
- Motivations included extreme poverty and lack of opportunities.
- Arrests executed by a joint police operation.
New Delhi, June 2 (NationPress) In an operation targeting Bangladeshis unlawfully residing in Delhi, local police apprehended 16 individuals, among them seven minors, in the Seemapuri locality, as reported on Monday by officials.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara), Prashant Gautam, stated that the detained Bangladeshi citizens disclosed that they had infiltrated India nearly 18-19 years ago under the cover of night.
“They entered India unlawfully due to severe poverty and a lack of job prospects in their hometowns, situated 40-50 km from the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal,” he mentioned.
The DCP informed that the arrests were executed by a collaborative team from the Foreigner Cell and Shahdara's special staff following a tip-off received last month.
Among those apprehended were four men and five women, who initially resided in the Cooch Behar region after entering India.
DCP Gautam explained that they later traveled by train to New Delhi in search of enhanced employment opportunities.
“Ultimately, they relocated to Haryana and commenced work in rural areas, especially in brick kilns, where they were engaged in brickmaking,” he noted.
These kilns are situated away from key villages and residential zones, allowing them to remain unnoticed, he added.
“No government entity conducted any verification or background assessments on them throughout their stay. The brick kiln proprietors, motivated by the need for inexpensive labor, hired them without proper documentation,” he remarked.
Over time, they established their lives in the area, raised families, and continued to live and work without any legal standing or oversight, he stated.
DCP Gautam indicated that on May 30, the Foreigner Cell of the Shahdara District received intelligence regarding the presence of illegal Bangladeshi nationals attempting to infiltrate the Seemapuri area.
“The tip-off suggested that a group of individuals was traversing the Uttar Pradesh-Delhi border near Shaheed Nagar,” he elaborated.
The arrests were carried out by a joint unit of the Foreigner Cell and Special Staff, including SI Shaji John, ASI Gajender, ASI Johar, ASI Nazir, and others, under the command of Inspector Munish Kumar I/C Special Staff & Foreigner Cell, supervised by Gurudev Singh, ACP/Operations.