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Police in the Dhubri district of western Assam detained 27 Bangladeshi citizens on Sunday who had entered the state on a tourist visa prior to the closure of COVID-19, but were found to be working for a contractor in the eastern part.
The 27 people, traveling in two seized minibuses, were caught during a routine check-up in Bahalpur under the Chapar police station.
Police said they were studying the travel documents of the 27 people and organizing their medical check-up.
Dhubri’s deputy commissioner Anant Lal Gyani said the vehicles had come from Jorhat in eastern Assam, 470 km from Chapar, in curfews issued in the name of a local contractor for inter-district travel.
Also read: Imitators Hit Assam During COVID-19 Blockade
“They said they came to Assam on a tourist visa before closing, but according to the rules, you cannot work with that visa. They were unable to adequately answer the police questions, but said they were eager to return to Bangladesh, “he said. The Hindu from the city of Dhubri.
“Right now, they are being detained. We are trying to find out if your passports are fake or expired. Action will be taken in accordance with the relevant law if your documents are not in order, “Yuvraj District Police Superintendent said. Police officers investigating the case said some of the Bangladeshi citizens claimed to be involved in the fishing.
“Trapped in the state”
A Bangladeshi diplomat posted in eastern India said the Bangladesh High Commission could organize his return trip home if the state government formally raised the issue.
“We have already sent more than 40 Bangladeshi citizens. In all likelihood, these people were trapped in Assam, but their excessive stay should not be a punishable offense given the relaxation of the visa terms for the blockade, “he said.
He said that people should have informed the High Commission of their travel plan in Assam.
