In a sweeping crackdown across Gujarat, over 550 Bangladeshi immigrants living illegally were detained in coordinated raids led by Gujarat Police, Special Operations Group (SOG), Crime Branch, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), and local police units, PTI reported on Saturday.
The largest operation was carried out in Surat, where more than 100 individuals were apprehended during overnight raids following intelligence inputs. Deputy Commissioner of Police (SOG) Rajdeep Singh Nakum confirmed that the individuals had entered India without valid documents and were living using forged papers. He stated, “After investigation, they will be deported to Bangladesh.”
Operation Details
In Ahmedabad, the crackdown began at around 3 a.m., involving multiple wings including the Economic Offences Wing and Zone 6. Over 400 individuals were detained from the Chandola area, a location flagged in intelligence reports for harbouring undocumented immigrants. DCP Ajit Rajian confirmed the large-scale operation.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sharad Singhal noted that the drive was executed under direct orders from the Home Minister, Commissioner of Police, and Director General of Police. Prior to this operation, two FIRs since April 2024 had led to the arrest of 127 Bangladeshis and the deportation of 77.
Wider National Crackdown
The Gujarat crackdown mirrors broader national efforts. In Delhi, police have launched probes into illegal immigration networks aiding Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals. Six FIRs have been registered in the capital, and Special Investigation Teams (SITs) are investigating what has been termed a “mother conspiracy” involving agents producing forged Indian identity documents and arranging housing and jobs.
Recent weeks have seen multiple arrests in Delhi of individuals who had lived for decades under false identities. The Ministry of Home Affairs has called illegal immigration a matter of national security and urged agencies to dismantle such networks urgently.
