In a significant crackdown on illegal activities and undocumented foreigners, the Uttarakhand police have apprehended 511 individuals across three districts under the recently launched 'Operation Kalnemi'. The coordinated drive, which concluded on Monday, resulted in the detention of 19 Bangladeshi nationals, highlighting concerns over illegal immigration.
Massive Sweep Across Key Districts
The police operation was executed simultaneously in the districts of Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dehradun, Ajai Singh, the primary objective was to identify and take action against individuals involved in criminal activities and those residing in the state without proper legal documentation.
A total of 511 people were arrested during this intensive two-day drive. The charges against them are varied, ranging from involvement in criminal cases to violations of the Foreigners Act for those without valid Indian papers.
Focus on Foreign Nationals
A notable outcome of Operation Kalnemi is the identification and arrest of 19 individuals who are citizens of Bangladesh. These arrests were made specifically under the stringent provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946, which governs the entry, presence, and departure of foreigners in India.
Police authorities have stated that the process of verifying the nationalities and backgrounds of these detained individuals is currently ongoing. This step is crucial to determine the circumstances of their entry and stay in Uttarakhand.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
All arrested individuals have been presented before the competent local courts. The police are pursuing legal action as per the relevant sections of law applicable to each case.
For the 19 Bangladeshi nationals, the focus will be on establishing their immigration status. The authorities have not yet clarified whether these individuals entered India illegally or had overstayed their valid visas. Further investigation will dictate the subsequent legal course, which could include potential deportation proceedings.
Operation Kalnemi underscores the Uttarakhand police's intensified efforts to bolster internal security and maintain a record of inhabitants within the state. Such drives are periodically conducted to screen populations, especially in sensitive and border regions, to deter unlawful activities and unauthorized residency.
The successful execution of this operation across three populous districts signals a coordinated approach by law enforcement agencies to address complex issues of crime and illegal immigration at a regional level.
