Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS) 

Bengaluru, Oct 27: In the midst of rumours that National Register of Citizens (NRC) campaign, similar to the one held at Assam, to prevent the living of illegal immigrants, will be held in Karnataka, the City Crime Brach (CCB) police have started the search operation to identify the Bangladeshis and other foreigners living illegally in the city. 

In the first phase of the operation, the CCB have arrested 60 people, including women and young girls in the city. Bangladeshis, who were living without any naturalization documents in the areas around Marathalli, Ramamurthy Nagar and Bellandoor were arrested. In addition, the police have decided to take action against the people who give the accommodation on rent to illegal immigrants without verifying their documents. There are 29 men, 22 women and nine young girls among the 60 arrested by the police.

The arrested 60 people will be kept in rehabilitation centres for the time being. The process of exiling them to Bangladesh will be taken place after following all the rules in that connection. Many among the arrested had come to the city many years ago. They are engaged in profession of building construction, daily wage labour and scrap collection. However, none of the arrested has any criminal record so far. In spite of this, their inquiry and investigation is continuing according to a senior police officer. 

A senior police officer said, "We have information of citizens of Bangladesh and other countries residing illegally in the city as well as the outskirt areas. So this operation will be continuous. The movement of illegal immigrants is being monitored. We will take further action after discussing the same with Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) and other competent authorities." 

The police also said that in the operation that was conducted last week seven African nationals, who overstayed their visa were arrested. The process of sending them back to their countries is underway through FRRO. 

City police commissioner Bhaskar Rao has warned the house and accommodation owners to be cautious before letting out their facility on rent. He also said that strict action will be taken on the owners of rented facilities, who do not inquire the history and documents of the people who seek accommodation on rent. 

Kuldip Jain, DCP of CCB said, "The operation of identifying the illegal foreign nationals and sending them back to their countries will continue, in order to control the crime effectively in the city. Their activities are also being monitored."