9 illegal immigrants working on Army premises nabbed

Sources said they entered India illegally and came to Bangalore by train via Kolkata. They were staying on the streets in Mangammana Palya and Madiwala. One of them, identified as Mohammed Masoom, had obtained an Aadhaar card.

Joint Commissioner of Police for law and order (east) K V Sharath Chandra confirmed the development and said investigations are on to find out how Masoom got the card.

Investigations have revealed the immigrants were hired by a contractor to clean the Army premises on a daily basis. The contractor, who got the cleaning contract through an annual tender, had employed the immigrants as daily wage workers, police said.

The workers’ language and mannerisms drew the attention of Army officials. They informed military intelligence officials, who picked up the workers. During questioning, the nine revealed they were illegal immigrants.

The police have registered cases against the nine under the provision of the Foreigners Act and also under Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950.

Police suspect there may be more illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in the city, and efforts are on to nab them.