Two Bangladeshi nationals were caught by local villagers for illegally entering India to witness Durga Puja celebrations in North Bengal’s Haldibari block, Cooch Behar district.
According to sources, the incident took place in the wee hours of Sunday when a motorbike carrying three men was spotted crossing the Teesta river route towards Dewanganj. Sensing that they were outsiders, villagers tried to stop them. However, the rider sped up, lost control and eventually fled, abandoning the two passengers.
The villagers detained the two men and informed the police. “During the course of interrogation, the duo revealed that they had crossed over from Domar village in Nilphamari district of Bangladesh to visit Durga Puja festivities in India,” said a police officer.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Dashrath Roy (27) and Kalidas Roy (50). “They were taken to Haldibari police station and later produced before the Mekhliganj Sub-Divisional Court, which remanded them in police custody for four days,” the officer said.
Local residents expressed anger over repeated instances of infiltration through the porous Teesta border. “Jharsinghasan is the last Indian village. Infiltration happens almost daily through this open stretch of the border. The administration must strengthen vigilance here,” one villager said.
Meanwhile, Panchali Dev Sikder Nag, North Bengal coordinator of the Hindu Jagran Manch, pointed out that the Central government has already enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). “If anyone faces religious persecution in Bangladesh, they can renounce their Bangladeshi citizenship and apply for Indian citizenship under the CAA. But illegal entry without following due process cannot be allowed,” she stated.
Also read: Kolkata reels under twin electrocution tragedies amid Puja preps
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