In the wake of recent terror attacks in Bangladesh, Special Operations Group (SOG) of the city police today detained nine Bangladeshi nationals who were living and working here illegally.
The accused have been kept under detention for further questioning about their possible involvement in any criminal activity, an official release issued by the SOG said.
"Acting on a specific tip-off that some Bangladeshis will gather at Pirana toll plaza to celebrate Eid this evening, a team of SOG kept a watch near the spot on the outskirts of the city and detained the nine persons," the release said.
"All of them are residents of different parts of Bangladesh and had allegedly entered India after crossing the border illegally," it said.
They have been identified as Mitthu Majid Shaikh (33), Haasib Shaikh (22), Lablu Mulla (30), Torikul Mulla (35), Kalu Fakir (22), Sohidul Islam (32), Ramzan Shaikh (26), Alim Kazi (36) and Babu Fakir (40).
All of them were working here as labourers and living in various parts of the city. In the primary questioning, all of them admitted to have crossed the border and entered India illegally, the SOG claimed.
"They had come to the city a couple of months back after illegally crossing the Indo-Bangladesh border. We have detained them in the wake of recent terror strikes in Bangladesh. We need to find out if they are associated with any criminal activity or having any links with terror outfits," said Assistant Commissioner of Police, SOG, B C Solanki said.
"The nine accused will now be questioned by a joint interrogation team, which will have officials of state police, state intelligence and officials of central security agencies. If we don't find anything suspicious, we will start the process of their deportation, as they have been living here illegally," the ACP added.
