30 Bangladeshi Nationals Detained While Attempting to Cross Border in Katigorah

Tension gripped the Indo-Bangla border area of Jalalpur in Katigorah, Cachar district, on Tuesday night after nearly 30 Bangladeshi nationals were caught by locals while allegedly attempting to cross the border illegally.

According to sources, the group, comprising men, women, and children, was travelling in five auto-rickshaws. When locals of West Katigorah saw the convoy of autos moving, all of them overcrowded, they grew suspicious and intercepted it around 9 PM. Upon being questioned, the passengers allegedly failed to provide valid identification or reasons for their presence, prompting residents to alert the police.

Preliminary investigations suggest the individuals had entered India illegally several years ago and were working as labourers, with a few claiming to have stayed in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad. On Tuesday night, they were reportedly trying to return to Bangladesh through the Jalalpur border with the help of touts.

Some detainees told locals they were headed to places like Gopalganj, Jessore, and Barishal in Bangladesh. Acting swiftly, the Cachar Police arrived at the scene and took them into custody. They were later brought to the Police Hospital in Silchar, located opposite the Central Jail, where they were kept overnight.

Police sources confirmed that an investigation is underway to identify and take action against the agents involved in facilitating the illegal border crossing.