Shillong: Six Bangladeshis, including a woman, were apprehended by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Meghalaya on Saturday for illegally entering India from Bangladesh.
Some of the detainees had previously worked as masons in Mumbai and were attempting to return in search of employment, officials reported on Sunday.
The arrests took place after the individuals crossed the border from Bangladesh into Meghalaya, intending to travel further to Mumbai.
Acting on a tip-off, BSF personnel launched a coordinated operation, capturing four of the suspects in the West Jaintia Hills district and two in the South Garo Hills district.
Among the arrested was a woman who had planned to visit Mumbai for her husband’s medical treatment, according to a BSF spokesperson.
The six were subsequently handed over to the local police, where they were officially arrested.
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Meghalaya shares a 443 km-long international border with Bangladesh, about 20% of which remains unfenced due to challenging terrain and land acquisition issues.
The porous border has been a concern for authorities dealing with illegal crossings.
In a separate incident, a group of suspected Bangladeshi nationals ransacked several homes in Umkiang village in East Jaintia Hills early on Saturday.
The miscreants, still unidentified, stole belongings from the villagers. An FIR has been filed by the village headman, and investigations are underway.
The incidents highlight the ongoing security challenges along the India-Bangladesh border, with authorities taking steps to curb illegal immigration and cross-border crime.
