In a significant breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday apprehended Jalil Miah, a key suspect involved in the trafficking of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas into India via the northeastern borders.
An official statement confirmed that Miah, a resident of Tripura, was arrested by the NIA team. In February, the NIA had announced a cash reward of ₹1 lakh for information leading to Miah’s arrest, along with nine other suspects who were absconding.
The NIA’s investigation revealed that a considerable number of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas are trafficked into India monthly through the porous Indo-Bangladesh border. These individuals are then transported to various parts of the country, provided with fake documents, and forced into labour, according to the probe agency’s statement.
“In yet another success in its fight against human traffickers operating across the country, the NIA on Tuesday arrested a key conspirator in a case relating to trafficking of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas through the northeastern borders,” the statement read.
Previously, 33 individuals had been arrested in this case, which the NIA took over from the Assam Special Task Force (STF). The STF initially registered an FIR on March 22, 2023, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Passport Act of 1967. So far, the NIA has chargesheeted 24 accused.
Investigations revealed that Miah was one of the main conspirators in the human trafficking racket and closely associated with charge-sheeted accused Jiban Rudra Pal, alias Jibon or Suman. He was also connected with two other absconders, Juj Miah and Shanto, all from Tripura.
Miah had initially evaded capture during an operation on November 8, 2023, when 29 accused were arrested. However, electronic devices and incriminating documents seized from his residence implicated him. Nationwide searches conducted by the NIA in November 2023 led to the seizure of extensive incriminating data, including digital devices, foreign currency (Bangladeshi Taka and US Dollars), Aadhaar cards, and PAN cards.
A subsequent crackdown on December 29, 2023, resulted in the arrest of four more accused, further exposing a vast network of human traffickers, the NIA said.
“The manhunt for tracking the other absconders is continuing, and investigations are in progress to connect the missing links in the elaborate racket,” the agency stated.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
In a related development, the NIA conducted a coordinated operation with state police forces and central intelligence agencies on Monday across multiple locations in connection with its probe into an international human trafficking and cyber fraud racket. State police forces arrested five accused during these searches.
The investigation revealed that youths were forced to work in fake call centres in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Laos, and Cambodia. The racket, primarily controlled by foreign nationals, coerced victims into illegal activities such as credit card fraud, cryptocurrency investment using fake applications, and honey trapping.
Also Read | Cyclone Remal triggers red alert in Tripura: Schools closed, NDRF mobilised