Goa: Bangladeshis Held For Illegal Stay, To Be Deported Soon, Says CM Sawant


The Goa Police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has detained 22 Bangladeshi nationals during the tenant and foreigners verification drive over the last two months, following which Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Sunday that those Bangladeshis found illegally staying in the coastal state will be deported, threatening house owners with harsh punishment if police verification of tenants is not carried out. The arrests were reported to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) by the state government, and they will be deported soon.

The Goa Police are on the lookout for more such illegal migrants. “Over 20 Bangladeshi nationals were arrested for operating illegal businesses in various parts of Goa.” “These people did not have Indian addresses or voter ID cards,” Goa’s chief minister told ANI.

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“During tenant verification, police discovered that many people were staying here without proper addresses from our country. They operate illegal scrap yards and other illegal enterprises. They are staying in rented rooms while conducting business,” Sawant stated.

“I appeal to people to have verification done of their tenants. Those who avoid giving their identity are involved in various crimes. Hence people who rent out rooms should do police verification,” he said.

“More than 20 Bangladeshi are arrested (identified) and police are identifying many more staying here illegally. People should cooperate with police. We will take action against them (Bangladeshis) and deport them to Bangladesh,” Sawant said.

Shobhit Saxena, Superintendent of Police, ATS, told reporters here on Friday that 22 Bangladeshi nationals were staying illegally with fake documents. “They’ve been here for about four or five years. Some of them have families in the area,” he had stated.

“We discovered fake documents from them that were made in other states, as well as Bangladesh cards. They were brought before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), which issued a movement restriction order. We’re preparing a report and submitting it to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to see if there’s anything suspicious going on,” according to IANS, Saxena stated.

(With Inputs Frpm Agencies)