Crackdown on illegal B’desh immigrants

The number of Bangladeshi nationals arrested in 2012 was 1,183 and 376 in 2011. In 2012,the police had begun to raid establishments such as hotels and construction sites where the maximum number of Bangladeshi nationals seek employment,said Sanjay Shintre,deputy commissioner of police (SB).

Shintre said as they offer cheap labour,builders and hotel owners prefer to employ them rather than Indian nationals. “Immigrants don’t complain about difficult work environments as they fear arrest,” he said.

In 2012,Shintre said 426 women and 757 men were arrested from various parts of the city,including Thane rural,Navi Mumbai,Byculla and Dahisar. Most had been living in huts and temporary establishments.

Police said in 2012,they deported 279 people to Bangladesh,and in 2013,as of July 23,the number was 674.

Shintre said most of the illegal immigrants come to Mumbai from Kolkata after crossing the border. “The agents in India and Bangladesh take Rs 150 to 200 from each person to help them get to metros where they earn Rs 10,000- 20,000 by doing odd jobs before returning to their villages.

megha.sood@expressindia.com