Authorities from the Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar (MBVV) police department announced on June 7th the apprehension of nine Bangladeshi women during a significant crackdown targeting illegal immigration. These women were arrested for overstaying in India without the necessary documentation. Another woman was also taken into custody for providing shelter to the arrested individuals. The operation was carried out on June 5th by the Naya Nagar police, who conducted a raid in the Shanti Nagar and Gita Nagar areas of Mira Road based on confidential information, leading to these arrests.
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Ongoing Investigation and Legal Charges
The police are actively searching for the owner of the residence where the Bangladeshi women were residing. Law enforcement officials have stated that the accused are facing charges under multiple provisions of the Foreigners Act, the Passport Act, and the Indian Penal Code. This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by the MBVV police to tackle illegal immigration and ensure compliance with the country's legal requirements for residency.
Previous Incidents of Illegal Immigration
Similarly, on Thursday, the 29th of February, the Mira Bhayandar Police apprehended eight illegal Rohingya immigrants from the coastal area of Uttan near Bhayandar. These individuals, originally from Myanmar, are facing charges under the Foreigners Act and Passport Entry in India Rules for unlawfully entering the country.
The arrested individuals are identified as follows: Imam Hussain Abdul Kasim (25), Mohammad Johar Noor Mohammad (39), Amir Hussain Asad Ali (42), Ali Hussain Abdul Sobi (49), Noorul Amin Yusuf Ali (52), Kamal Hussain Noor Kamal (35), Mohammad Zakir Hussain Abu Alam (30), and Hamid Hussain Ali Akbar (55).
According to reports, a team led by police sub-inspector Kunal Kurewad from the Anti-Terrorist Cell (ATC) of the Uttan coastal police station, under the supervision of police inspector (crime) Rishikesh Paval, received a tip-off leading to a search operation in the area resulting in the arrest of the eight illegal immigrants. The arrest took place at the fishing jetty in Chowk village as the individuals attempted to evade the police team on Monday, the 26th of February.
Remarkably, the immigrants were proficient in Hindi. However, failing to produce legitimate documentation authorizing their stay in the country, they were apprehended and charged under the Indian Passport Act and the Foreigners Act.
The Rohingya Muslims claimed to be refugees seeking employment as helpers on fishing boats in the coastal zone, prompting the police to contact the Myanmar Embassy in New Delhi for verification. They also asserted their families were in Jammu and Kashmir.
In light of recent government suggestions to suspend the free movement regime (FMR) to prevent unauthorized entry of Myanmar nationals into India, the illegal immigrants were remanded in police custody after appearing before Thane’s district sessions court. Further investigations are ongoing.
It's worth noting that the Mira Road region in Mumbai, predominantly Muslim, has been embroiled in controversies. In June 2023, a dispute arose when a Muslim family attempted to bring goats for sacrifice ahead of Bakrid, facing resistance from society members.
In another incident in January 2024, Islamists attacked Hindus during rallies commemorating Lord Ram's return in Ayodhya, resulting in injuries and desecration of Hindu religious symbols, including tearing flags bearing images of Lord Hanuman. Additionally, there have been multiple cases of forced conversions and community crimes against Hindus, particularly women, in the Mira Road region over the past year.
Rise in Fundamentalist Activities
The Mira Road area has seen an increase in fundamentalist activities and crimes allegedly perpetrated by Islamist radicals targeting the local Hindu population. Last year, multiple incidents were reported where Hindu women and girls were harassed, assaulted, kidnapped, and forced into relationships by Muslim men. Hindu religious processions also faced attacks, adding to the communal tensions in the region.
In one notable incident, Hindu celebrants were threatened and attacked on January 21st while marking the Ram Mandir consecration. The perpetrators had illegal constructions that were subsequently demolished by municipal authorities with police presence on January 23rd. An FIR stated that around 50-60 people from a particular community assaulted the complainant and removed a Hindu flag from his vehicle. These clashes have heightened tensions between the Hindu and Muslim communities in the area.
Addressing Community Tensions and Law Enforcement
These incidents highlight the ongoing tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities in Mira Road, with allegations of fundamentalist elements engaging in unlawful activities targeting Hindus. Authorities have taken decisive action against illegal immigrants and extremist perpetrators involved in crimes and illegal constructions. The local police and municipal bodies continue to work towards maintaining peace and order in the region while addressing the complex issues of illegal immigration and communal violence.
Police Comments
“The woman who had given them shelter was also arrested. The owner of the house is wanted in the case. We have charged them under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Passport Act and the Foreigners Act,” informed an official.
“They raised slogans of Allah-hu-Akhbar, hit me on my head with an iron rod, and tried to kill me. They also saw a poster of Lord Hanuman on the car and puked on the poster. This has hurt our Hindu religious sentiments. They even pelted stones at women and small kids who accompanied me for a ride,” the formal complaint read.
Conclusion
The influx of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants is significantly altering the demography of many parts of the country, posing a threat not only to Hindus and women but also to national security. These migrants often engage in unlawful activities and become involved in fundamentalist movements, exacerbating communal tensions and endangering local populations. To safeguard the country, the government must take decisive steps to identify and repatriate these illegal immigrants. Implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is crucial to ensure that all undocumented individuals are sent back to their respective countries. This measure is essential for the safety of Indian citizens and the overall security of the nation.
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