A section of Bangladeshi nationals have been trying to manage visas from Nepal to go to other countries for livelihood. Such practice continues unabated, a senior Nepal official said today.
The BSF officials have come to know after they got Malaysian currency Ringgit from the possession of an apprehended Bangladeshi national, identified as Md Hassan, resident of Comilla in Bangladesh, during search operation.
Before handing him over to the police, the BSF officials interrogated Md Hassan thoroughly, managed several information from them and finally apprehended two Indian touts Md Zakir and Ramzan Ali, who were involved in cross-border illegal human trafficking. The BSF is looking for another one, who is a mastermind behind a group of Indian touts.
It may be noted that 93 Battalion BSF, posted within the area of Chanakya Border Outpost in Jalpaiguri district under North Bengal Frontier, apprehended Md Hassan, who was trying to return to Bangladesh from an Indian village with the help of a tout on 19 February.
According to the BSF officials, Md Hassan came to Kathmandu in Nepal by flight, three months ago and contacted a broker in Nepal to manage a visa to go to Malaysia for work. His maternal uncle has been working as a motor mechanic in Malaysia for more than four years.
As the broker failed to manage visa, he planned to return to his country, Bangladesh via India, illegally, though his maternal uncle supplied a huge amount of Ringgit for this purpose, with the help of a group of touts, who have been working in both Nepal and India. Md Hassan stayed in Haldibari in Cooch Behar for two day with the help of an Indian tout.
The BSF also got information that the broker received nearly Rs 3 lakh for issuing visa and then Indian touts received Rs 30,000 to cross Indo-Bangladesh border illegally.
Significantly, Md Hassan, during interrogation, provided the phone number of Md Jakir, who helped him in Indian part for crossing the border illegally. The BSF officials trapped Md Jakir and apprehended him. After interrogation, the BSF got information about one Ramzan Ali, who is allegedly involved in human trafficking. The 93 Battalion of BSF finally apprehended Ali, who is the resident of Natun Basti under Kotwali police station in Jalpaiguri, yesterday.
The BSF is looking for another kingpin, who has kept baggage and papers, including the passport of Md Hassan.
In another incident, the 15 Battalion of BSF, yesterday apprehended 23-year old Byzidul Islam, resident of Mymensingh in Bangladesh, as he was returning to Bangladesh from India.
On 16 February, 164 Battalion of BSF, apprehended an Indian woman, resident of Goalpokhar in North Dinajpur, who was illegally crossing an unfenced border area under Tapan police station in South Dinajpur district. She was carrying Rs 83,350. The BSF seized the amount and other items from her possession and handed her over to Tapan police station.
On 15 February, the BSF apprehended 20 year old Md Alamin, resident of Faridpur, and handed him over to Hilli police station in South Dinajpur.