The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) arrested three Bangladeshi nationals in Siliguri, West Bengal, for residing in India without valid documentation. The trio, identified as cousins Amal Roy, Gautam Roy, and Pritam Roy, were apprehended in the Panitanki area under Kharibari police station following a tip-off, authorities revealed on Wednesday.
Acting on precise intelligence, personnel from the 41st Battalion of the SSB conducted a targeted operation, uncovering documents that confirmed the Bangladeshi citizenship of the three men. Pritam Roy had entered India legally on April 1, 2024, with a valid visa but overstayed and began working as a mason in Siliguri. Gautam Roy illegally crossed the border through Haldibari in Cooch Behar on December 5, 2024, and was employed as an electrician in Panitanki. Amal Roy, who slipped into India via Changrabandha in February 2025, was working at a local tailoring shop.
The arrests highlight the ongoing challenge of illegal infiltration along India’s porous border with Bangladesh, particularly in West Bengal, a hotspot for such activities due to its proximity to the international boundary. The SSB’s operation underscores the heightened vigilance of security forces in curbing unauthorized stays and ensuring compliance with immigration laws.
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Officials stated that the cousins were living discreetly in the bustling Panitanki area, blending into the local workforce to evade detection. The recovery of their Bangladeshi identity documents has provided critical evidence, and authorities are now investigating whether the trio is linked to larger cross-border networks facilitating illegal migration.
The three men are in custody, and further inquiries are underway to determine the full extent of their activities and potential accomplices. This bust serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of border security in the region, with the SSB and local police intensifying efforts to prevent illegal infiltration and protect national security.
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