The police in southern Assam’s Hailakandi district have arrested three Bangladeshi nationals for trading on a tourist visa, while local NGOs have sought action against a Congress leader for renting out rooms to them.
The trio — Mohammed Hafiz Molla, Ayar Ali and Mohammed Bablu Molla — had come from Bhulbari village in Bangladesh’s Gopalganj district more than a month ago. “They came on valid passports and visas as tourists for visiting relatives and places. We have taken them into custody not as illegal immigrants, but for engaging in the garment business for which they don’t have the necessary papers,” said Mohneesh Mishra, Superintendent of Police of Hailakandi District.
The three were arrested on Monday. They would be sent to a court for judicial custody, police said.
“We took action against them to discourage people who come on tourist visas from trading or doing business. After their judicial custody period is over, we will send them back to Bangladesh through the route they used to enter India,” Mr. Mishra said.
Hailakandi-based organisations have sought action against Joynal Uddin Laskar, a retired block elementary education officer and a spokesperson of the district Congress unit who had rented out his house to the three Bangladeshis. The NGOs said a person of Mr. Laskar’s stature should have checked their credentials before accepting them as his tenants.
