Illegal entry: Tambaram police detain 30 Bangladesh men

CHENNAI: The Tambaram City police detained over 30 Bangladeshi nationals, for staying and working illegally in Chennai's southern suburbs, during a large-scale verification drive across the OMR.

Based on intelligence inputs stating foreign nationals were residing illegally and working in hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, apartment complexes and private firms, the Tambaram police formed special police teams and carried out surprise inspections in Kelambakkam, Thaiyur, Navalur, Thalambur, Padur, Pudupakkam, Kanathur and Muttukadu.

During the operation, police rounded up over 500 migrant workers from West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand for document verification at a private marriage hall in Kazhipattur. Officials found that around 30 of them were suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals who were using fake addresses in West Bengal while staying and working in Tamil Nadu.

Preliminary inquiry revealed that they had crossed the India-Bangladesh border illegally in search of jobs, entered West Bengal and later travelled by train to Tamil Nadu. Police are now investigating whether they possess valid immigration documents and if they have any links to criminal activities.

The detained individuals will be handed over to immigration authorities for further verification. Based on the findings, officials are expected to initiate legal proceedings and, if they are confirmed to be illegal entrants, begin the process of deportation to Bangladesh.