By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 24: Members of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), Jatap unit, on Thursday apprehended four individuals, suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals, near Jatap village under the Shella Confederacy.
The group, comprising two men and two women, was reportedly en route Shillong in a vehicle (ML05AA7005).
According to HYC Jatap Unit president Jatap Shongwan, the vehicle was being driven by a man identified as Robindro Biswas. Upon stopping the vehicle, HYC members questioned the passengers, who were unable to clearly state their destination.
They later admitted to having crossed into India from Bangladesh in the early hours of July 23, around 4:30 am, with plans to travel to Shillong and eventually to other parts within the jurisdiction of the council.
Subsequently, the HYC members handed over the four individuals, along with the vehicle, to the Border Security Force (BSF) at the Patharghat camp in Shella for a thorough probe.
The HYC has also urged the BSF to investigate whether any local individuals are acting as middlemen in facilitating the illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals into India.
Shongwan stated that the unit will closely monitor developments and the action taken by the BSF against the four suspects.
Meanwhile, in a significant operation, vigilant troops of the 172 Battalion, BSF Meghalaya Frontier, on Thursday successfully apprehended five Bangladeshi nationals—including two men, two women and a minor girl—who were attempting to infiltrate into Indian territory near the Indo-Bangladesh border in East Jaintia Hills.
The operation was launched based on specific intelligence input regarding suspicious movement near the jungle area along the international border.
During routine patrolling, BSF personnel detected movement and swiftly cordoned off the area, leading to the apprehension of the individuals hiding in the bushes under the cover of darkness and dense vegetation.
The apprehended individuals have been, meanwhile, handed over to the local police authorities for further legal proceedings and investigation.
