Durgapur, 27 July (H.S.): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested Golam Jama from the New Steel Park area of Durgapur in West Bengal as part of its investigation into an alleged human trafficking network involved in sending contract workers to Middle Eastern countries using forged passports.

According to sources, an NIA team conducted a nearly three-hour search at Golam Jama's residence on Monday morning before taking him into custody. Several documents and other materials were seized during the operation and are being examined as part of the investigation.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Golam Jama is originally from Chhattisgarh, where he initially worked at a tyre shop. He later joined a travel agency and allegedly became associated with a network involved in trafficking contract labourers abroad under the guise of overseas employment. About four years ago, he shifted to Durgapur, got married and began living in a rented house in New Steel Park with his family. He has two sons.

Local residents said Golam maintained little interaction with neighbours. His wife had reportedly told people that he frequently travelled to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, but no one was aware of the actual purpose of his foreign visits.

According to the NIA, Golam not only arranged for workers to travel abroad but also allegedly facilitated forged passports to enable their overseas travel. Investigators are now trying to identify other members of the network and trace its wider operations.

During the search, NIA officials also questioned Golam's wife. However, following her husband's arrest, she declined to comment and avoided speaking to the media.

The NIA said the investigation is continuing to uncover the full extent of the alleged human trafficking and forged passport racket and identify others involved.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey