Even as a state and countrywide crackdown on illegal Bangladeshis is underway, it has come to light that Maharashtra’s Sangli is emerging as a hub for illegal Bangladeshis.

Illegal Bangladeshis prefer Sangli over metro cities

Illegal Bangladeshis use forged documents to settle in different parts of the country. They usually settled in cities like Mumbai and Pune. However, recent investigations by Maharashtra ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad) revealed that the infiltrators are moving to Sangli, thereby turning it into a hub for illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The plot came to light after suspect Md Hussain was presented in the Sangli court and sentenced him to three days of police custody.

During one of their patrolling rounds, Sangli Police chanced upon Hussain. During the initial inquiry, his AADHAR Card showed him to be Delhi resident Amir Shaikh. However, his accent aroused doubts and the police undertook a thorough investigation. On being probed deeper, it came to light that Hussain hailed from Dhaka and was residing illegally in Sangli. He is also affiliated with a Bangladeshi political party.

Investigations have also revealed the role of agents in settling these illegals in Bharat. Infiltration is not limited to the border areas. Agents are helping infiltrators settle in cities and towns far from the border such as Sangli. The agents help the infiltrators acquire forged documents and jobs thereby creating a ‘new identity’ for them. In what can be considered as a security threat, in many places colonies of illegal Rohingyas and Bangladeshis have been established.

These infiltrators and agents who settle them pose a grave security threat. They are heavily involved in the smuggling of cattle, narcotics, gold, and other illegal goods. According to BSF sources, illegal activities in Dinhata generate approximately ₹80 lakh in daily earnings. Smugglers reportedly earn between ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 for each individual they help cross the border.

Crackdown on illegal Bangladeshis

On 16 March, seven Bangladeshi nationals and four Rohingyas were arrested in Meghalaya and Tripura border villages, along with four Indian touts who facilitated the foreign nationals’ illegal entry into India from across the border.

There has been a crackdown on illegal Bangladeshis across Bharat in the past several months. In February, 16 illegal Bangladeshis were arrested by the Mumbai Police. A team led by DCP Dr Pravin Mundhe (Zone 1) conducted a crackdown operation against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and the Thane area. On 7 February, seven illegal Bangladeshis were arrested in Mumbai’s Chembur.

In December 2024, Delhi Police busted a major illegal immigration racket, arresting 11 individuals, including document forgers, Aadhaar operators, and tech experts involved in creating fake websites. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) South, Ankit Chauhan, the accused facilitated Bangladeshi nationals by producing counterfeit Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and other forged documents via a fake website. DCP Chauhan said that the illegal immigrants used jungle routes and express trains to enter Indian territory.

The threat posed by illegal infiltrators

As per the latest data available from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as of 31 December 2024, approximately 95,600 Rohingyas are currently residing in Bharat after fleeing persecution in Myanmar. This figure includes around 22,500 refugees and asylum seekers who are considered stateless by the UNHCR. The vast majority of Rohingya Muslims—over 10 lakh—have taken refuge in Bangladesh, where they are being supported by international aid agencies.

In 2016, the then Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, informed the Rajya Sabha that over 2 crore illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were estimated to be residing in Bharat—nearly equivalent to the entire population of Australia. This represented a 67% increase compared to earlier figures. Back in 2004, Sriprakash Jaiswal, who held the same ministerial position under the UPA government, had told the Rajya Sabha that as of 31 December 2001, approximately 1.2 crore illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were present in Bharat. However, due to political pressure and concerns over alienating the Muslim vote bank, Minister Jaiswal later retracted his statement, dismissing it as being based on “hearsay.”

It is important to note that the infiltration of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants into Bharat is largely clandestine, making it extremely difficult for authorities to arrive at precise figures. Consequently, the actual number of illegal immigrants may be significantly higher than official estimates.

Given the threat posed by illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators, the Maharashtra government has decided to seek the help of the Central government. The Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam said on Tuesday (18 March) in the Maharashtra Assembly that the state government, to prevent the influx of illegal immigrants, including Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, would follow up with the Union government to amend the Indian Passport Act and the Foreigners Act to make their provisions more stringent.

(Featured Image Source: ABP News Marathi)