Ampati, Nov 4: Alert Garo villagers living close to the international border with Bangladesh in South West Garo Hills district have intercepted a group of foreign nationals who managed to evade BSF patrolling and sneak inside Indian territory early November 4 morning.
The seven Bangladeshi nationals were crossing Boldamgre border village at around 6 AM, on Monday, when they were spotted by the villagers and rounded up. The men had planned to cross into Mankachar region in Assam, which is located just a few kms away, to mingle with the local population over there and avoid detection.
Boldamgre villagers handed over the seven men to the nearby Kalaichar police patrol post police along with a range of items from the apprehended men, which included a Bangladeshi passport, Bangladeshi currency notes, mobile phones, and Bangladeshi SIM cards.
The arrest of foreign intruders has been made possible due to a round the clock alert that has been in place all across the Garo Hills border with Bangladesh following the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government in Dhaka, over three months ago.
Since the collapse of law and order in that country and attempts by many to cross into India, district Police of South West Garo Hills and the Border Security Force (BSF) have been conducting awareness drives and field operations along the India-Bangladesh international border. During these operations, villagers are routinely alerted and encouraged to report any suspicious activity, thereby strengthening border security.
The seven men who illegally entered Garo Hills and got apprehended by garo villagers have been identified as, Angur Hussain Afrib (20), son of Jarib Uddin, from Balimari Beparipara, PS Rajibpur, District Kurigram, Bangladesh.
Amir Ali (35), son of late Poker Ali, from Beparipara, PS Chilmari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh.
Chand Miah (60), son of late Solimuddin Hussain, from Bokbanda, PS Romari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh.
Md. Bukul Mia (32), son of late Isa Hoque Ali, from Beparipara, PS Chilmari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh.
Mir Jahan (45), son of late Samsul Hoque, from Romna Beparipara, PS Chilmari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh.
Md. Rasel Ali (35), son of late Abul Hussain, from Jhorgas Beparipara, PS Chilmari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh.
Biblop Miah (35), son of late Bahadur Miah, from Romna Beparipara, PS Chilmari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh.