Shillong: A significant human trafficking operation along the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya was dismantled with the arrest of seven individuals, according to officials on Tuesday.
The Border Security Force (BSF) acted swiftly following intelligence reports, apprehending four Bangladeshi nationals and three Indian accomplices on Sunday evening near the Dawki area.
The four Bangladeshi nationals were in the process of illegally crossing into India when they were intercepted by BSF personnel.
Upon interrogation, the detained Bangladeshis revealed that they had intended to settle in India.
They disclosed that they had enlisted the help of the three Indian touts, who were allegedly facilitating their illegal migration.
All seven individuals were handed over to local police authorities and were subsequently arrested.
A formal case has been registered against the arrested suspects.
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The authorities allege that the trafficking racket had been charging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 per person for their assistance in facilitating illegal border crossings into India.
The bust highlights a disturbing trend of human trafficking operations taking place along the porous border, prompting authorities to take stringent measures to curb such illegal activities.