Gurgaon police identify 10 Bangladeshis at holding centres; they carried Indian IDs but probe revealed birth certificates issued in Bangladesh, to be deported

GURGAON: Inquiries into identification documents of people being held at detention centres since last Saturday have so far identified 10 Bangladeshi nationals who were living in the city illegally, police said on Thursday. In each of these cases, according to police, birth or domicile certificates of these 10 men were found to be from different districts of Bangladesh, even though all of them had managed to procure Indian IDs like Aadhaar and voter cards. Sources said the illegals are all first-generation infiltrators who had crossed the border. One of the ten has been living in Gurgaon for years, and is married, making the deportation exercise tricky because it will separate the family. A police source said a background check is also being done for the wife to ascertain if she too is a Bangladeshi national living illegally here. All 10 will remain at the holding centres while police upload their fingerprints and documents on the home ministry portal for a central verification, which is part of the deportation protocol. After the ministry's nod, the illegals will be handed over to Border Security Force (BSF). A senior police officer said, "Multiple agencies are involved in gathering documents. Even officials in their native places are involved. Several documents issued in Bangladesh were recovered from these 10 men, following which we have started the next step for deportation. All states have been asked to upload details of illegal migrants on the MHA portal. Govt nod will come in two days, after which we will immediately hand them over to BSF. Most of those found to be illegals worked in the city as scrap dealers." Since last weekend, more then 250 people have been rounded up for verification and sent to four detention centres. The exercise is based on an MHA May 2 order asking states to identify Bangladeshis and Rohingya living illegally. The police officer said several of those detained whose documents were found to be fine had been released. "The process of checks is on," the officer said, adding police will next look into "how and where so many fake Indian documents are made". "Illegal migrants pose a risk to our country. Special instructions have been issued to all personnel to treat those being detained respectfully and ensure they get all the necessary things, including timely meals, at holding centres," the officer said. Police are yet to consolidate the number of persons released after verification. However, even after being released, many have left the city fearing harassment. "We don't want any Indian to be mistreated or suffer, and thus we are being cautious. But we also do not want illegal persons to stay here," the officer said. Sources said the 10 Bangladeshi nationals detected during the identification exercise were prima facie not found to be involved in any illegal activities and were engaged in petty jobs. Some of them have been living here for more than a decade.