Mumbai Police Crack Down on Illegal Immigrants: 16 Bangladeshis Arrested, Fake Documents Seized

On Saturday, February 8th, the Mumbai Police escalated their efforts to combat illegal Bangladeshi immigration by arresting 16 individuals from the Thane region. Among the arrested were seven men and nine women. A team led by DCP Dr. Pravin Mundhe (Zone 1) carried out a crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane.

This arrest followed a day after the RCF police in Mumbai apprehended seven Bangladeshi immigrants in Chembur.

The arrests were made after raids were conducted in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Nashik. (Photo: ANI/file)

The Mumbai Police have recently intensified their operations against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing unlawfully across various districts of Maharashtra, including Pune, Mumbai, Nanded, Thane, and Nashik. Many of these immigrants have been found to forge identities and Indian documents, often taking illegal advantage of government schemes.

OpIndia has previously reported on how these immigrants enter the country illegally, creating fake Aadhar cards, birth certificates, Indian passports, and other documents to falsely claim permanent residency. Many of them have settled in areas like Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Virar, and Nalasopara, even participating in elections.

In recent months, state police have launched several operations to identify and apprehend illegal immigrants. Last year, Borivali police arrested approximately 20 Bangladeshis for entering India illegally and using counterfeit identities. Similar arrests have been made in Pune as well. Recently, the Mumbai Police established special task forces to identify and capture illegal immigrants in surrounding areas.

A 14-member team, under DCP Dr. Pravin Mundhe, conducted raids in Kalamboli, Panvel, Kopar Khairane, Kalyan, Mumbra (Navi Mumbai), Shivdi Darukhana, Mankhurd, and Chembur (Mumbai), resulting in the arrest of 16 Bangladeshi nationals. All those arrested have been booked by the police.

On February 6th, the Nashik Police arrested eight individuals at a construction site, following a tip-off. During the operation, it was discovered that they had entered the country illegally and lacked valid identification documents.

The police have seized the fake documents in the case, and an FIR has been registered under the Foreigners Act of 1946, the Passport (Entry into India) Act of 1950, and the Passport Act of 1967. Investigations are ongoing.

(This Article was originally published by OpIndia)