166 suspected Bangladeshi nationals held in Ahmedabad
Gujarat has stepped up its statewide campaign against illegal immigration, with police agencies conducting coordinated verification drives across major cities, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara. The intensified action follows directives from the State Home Department to identify and take action against individuals residing in the State without valid documentation.
The largest breakthrough has emerged from Ahmedabad, where city police carried out a special operation, codenamed “Operation Delta.” According to Police Commissioner GS Malik, nearly 300 individuals were detained for verification during searches conducted in several industrial and labour-dominated localities. Following scrutiny of documents, authorities identified 166 individuals suspected of being illegal Bangladeshi nationals. The group reportedly includes men, women and children.
Meanwhile, Surat Police have launched a parallel mega drive involving the Crime Branch, Special Operations Group (SOG) and local police units. Large-scale searches and verification checks have been carried out in major industrial zones. Several individuals have been detained for verification, with officials examining identity documents, proof of residence and citizenship records. The verification process remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to release detailed findings after scrutiny is completed.
Amid the statewide operation, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi reaffirmed the Government’s firm stance on illegal immigration.
He stated that the State would not permit any individual found to be residing illegally to remain in Gujarat and emphasised that law enforcement agencies have been directed to take decisive action within the framework of the law.
