12 Bangladeshi nationals including minor held in Assam's Goalpara on suspicion of illegal entry

Twelve Bangladeshi nationals, including two children, were detained in Assam’s Goalpara town on Friday, October 9 night on suspicion of entering India illegally, after a hotel owner alerted police about the group’s presence.

According to available information, the group allegedly crossed the India-Bangladesh border three days before their arrest and subsequently reached Goalpara town. On Friday evening, they reportedly approached a hotel seeking accommodation, prompting the owner to inform the police after becoming suspicious of their conversations.

Police personnel reached the spot and took the group to Goalpara Town Police Station for questioning. According to police sources, the individuals admitted to having come from Bangladesh and were subsequently arrested on suspicion of illegal entry into India.

Speaking to the media, the individuals reportedly said they had reached Goalpara after allegedly entering Assam from Bangladesh’s Sylhet district.

The arrests have raised questions about how the group allegedly crossed the international border and travelled to Goalpara despite existing security arrangements. The incident has also renewed attention to border surveillance and the mechanisms in place to detect unauthorised crossings.

Further details regarding the identities of the arrested individuals and the subsequent legal proceedings were not immediately available.