Three Bangladeshi nationals arrested for allegedly staying and working illegally near Chennai

CHENNAI: Three Bangladeshi citizens who were illegally staying and working at a scrap yard in Kannivakkam near Guduvanchery were arrested by the Chengalpattu Q Branch police based on a tip-off.

Acting on the information that workers were staying without valid documents, a special team from the Chengalpattu Q Branch conducted a surprise inspection at the scrap yard premises and found that around eight migrant workers were staying there.

During the inquiry, three workers were identified as residents of West Bengal. However, police grew suspicious and subjected them to further questioning. They were later identified as Zakir Bakir (26), Abdul Salam Sidderi (28), and Arif Siddari (25), all from Bangladesh. Police said the trio failed to produce passports or any valid immigration documents.

Preliminary probe revealed that they had crossed the Bangladesh border illegally on foot a few months ago, reached Kolkata by road, and later travelled to Chennai by train in search of work and joined a scrap yard as wage workers.

The Q Branch police have arrested them for entering and residing in India without valid authorisation. Further investigation is on to determine whether they had any local links or assistance.

Police officials said they are intensifying checks across Chennai's suburbs following inputs that more illegal Bangladeshi migrants may be living and working as daily wage labourers.