Kolkata, 22 July (H.S.): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has uncovered indications of a well-organised cross-border infiltration syndicate operating from villages along the India-Bangladesh border to major Indian cities, including Delhi and Hyderabad. Investigators are also examining possible links between the network and terror infiltration as well as the movement of funds for terrorist activities.
Earlier this month, the NIA registered an FIR and took over the investigation into a racket allegedly involved in facilitating illegal Bangladeshi immigrants by arranging forged Indian identity documents and transporting them to different parts of the country. The probe stems from an FIR registered by Bongaon Police in May.
Investigators have identified Sahabuddin Mondal, a resident of Ramchandrapur-Bhira village near the Bangladesh border in North 24 Parganas, as one of the alleged kingpins of the syndicate. He was arrested by Bongaon Police in late May in an illegal arms case. According to investigators, Sahabuddin is a member of the local Ghatbaor Panchayat and is also known as an active Trinamool Congress worker in the area.
The NIA suspects that Sahabuddin used his small business and foreign currency trading as a cover to run the infiltration network. Several alleged associates have also been identified, including Harun Rashid alias Dukhe, Khairul, Rana, Azharul, Raju of Howrah and Rashed of Dattapulia in Nadia district.
According to investigators, the syndicate exploited vulnerable stretches of the India-Bangladesh border in Bongaon and Bagda, including unfenced areas and riverine routes, to facilitate illegal crossings. After entering India, infiltrators were allegedly sheltered in border villages, including Sahabuddin's own village, before forged Indian identity documents were arranged for them.
The investigation has revealed that the syndicate operated on a package-based model, covering illegal border crossing, forged documentation and transportation to Kolkata or other major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai. Harun Rashid allegedly arranged vehicles to transport infiltrators to Howrah Railway Station, where they were handed over to another operative identified as Raju for onward travel.
The NIA has moved the Special NIA Court in Kolkata seeking the transfer of all records related to the Bongaon Police case. The matter is scheduled for hearing on July 30.
Investigators believe the network extends beyond the border, with separate modules involved in forging identity documents in and around Kolkata and other cells across India responsible for sheltering illegal immigrants. The agency is continuing its investigation to determine the full extent of the syndicate and any possible links to organised crime or terrorism.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
