By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 26: Acting on credible intelligence about an organised human trafficking syndicate, Ri-Bhoi Police intercepted a group of 11 Bangladeshi nationals, including two children, traveling illegally in a Tata Sumo vehicle at Byrnihat Outpost.
The operation also led to the arrest of the alleged mastermind, Sukur Janab Shaikh, from Nalbari, Assam, with assistance from Assam Police.
Earlier, the police had received information that Sukur Janab Shaikh, a known trafficker, was travelling from Mumbai to Guwahati with a group of illegal immigrants. A search operation was subsequently conducted on Train No. 15945 (LTT-Dibrugarh Express) at Kamakhya and Guwahati Junctions.
While Shaikh was not found on the train, crucial clues led to the detection of 11 Bangladeshi nationals at Byrnihat, travelling in a vehicle bearing registration number AS-01-EC-3528.
Further investigation revealed that the group was in possession of forged Indian identity documents, including Aadhaar and PAN cards. They were allegedly planning to cross the international border at Dawki late at night or early morning.
The arrested individuals were identified as Kakali Sardar (36) from Khulna, Hirina Dili Mulla (30) from Narail, Unjilla Sadar (32) from Khulna, Rabia Begum (37) from Khulna, Panna Kamal Hussain (42) from Jasor, Poppy Hasu Mollah (26) from Narail, Sonia Shaikh (24) from Jasor, Sobha Islam (28) from Narail and Saja Uddin Sk (26) from Jasor.
Meanwhile, a case has been registered at Nongpoh Police Station and all arrested individuals are in police custody.