Police detain 18 Bangladeshis from Kultali, some allegedly lived in India for years

Police in Kultali, South 24 Parganas, detained 18 Bangladeshi nationals during a special operation at a brick kiln in the Godabar area early Wednesday morning. According to investigators, the group consisted of 12 adults and six children who allegedly entered India without valid documents and had been living in the country for several years. Cases have been registered under the Foreigners Act and other relevant legal provisions.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the detainees allegedly entered India through a network of agents operating near the Bangladesh border. During questioning, they reportedly told police that they paid amounts ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹30,000 per person to traffickers who facilitated their illegal entry across the international border. Investigators are examining the role of the alleged network in arranging border crossings and settlement within India.

Police said that after entering the country, the group initially worked as daily labourers at brick kilns in the Bhangar area of South 24 Parganas while concealing their identities. Investigators later found that they moved to the more remote Godabar area of Kultali, where they obtained work at another brick kiln. Some of the detainees had reportedly lived there for two years, while others had remained in the area for up to three years without valid travel or citizenship documents.

Authorities stated that intelligence inputs had been received regarding unidentified labourers working at brick kilns in remote parts of the Sundarbans while allegedly hiding their identities. Following surveillance and verification, a police team led by the officer-in-charge of Kultali Police Station carried out a raid at the brick kiln. During the operation, the individuals reportedly failed to produce passports, visas or other documents establishing legal residence.

Police recorded detailed statements from the detainees after bringing them to the police station for questioning. Following initial legal procedures, the adults and six children were transferred to a holding centre. Investigators are continuing efforts to identify individuals allegedly involved in facilitating the border crossings and providing employment or shelter after their arrival in the region.