How 7 Myanmar Rohingya Were Detained in Assam While Attempting to Cross Into Bangladesh - What's Next for Them

Cachar: Seven Myanmar nationals belonging to the Rohingya community were detained near the India-Bangladesh international border in Assam’s Cachar district on Saturday while allegedly attempting to cross

into Bangladesh, police officials said.The group comprising one young man, three women and three children was intercepted at Hilara railway station on Saturday afternoon. According to police, the detainees had allegedly entered India illegally several years ago and were now trying to return to Bangladesh. They will be pushed back after verification of their identities and completion of necessary legal procedures.A senior police official in Cachar said the group was first detained by local residents after their movements aroused suspicion.ALSO READ | Bangladesh National Election, First Since Hasina’s Ouster, on February 12: Awami League, BNS or Jamaat-e-Islami - Who Has The EdgeThey were later handed over to the police for further questioning. “We are verifying their identities. Once the formalities are completed, they will be pushed back to the neighbouring country as per protocol,” the official said.

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What Detainees Told Indian Officials

During interrogation, the detainees reportedly told police that they had entered India illegally from Bangladesh a few years ago and had later travelled to Hyderabad in search of employment. However, following a recent crackdown there, they decided to return to Bangladesh.Police said the group travelled from Hyderabad to Guwahati by train and then reached Hilara by bus, as the area is located close to the international border. They allegedly planned to cross into Bangladesh through a convenient border route.ALSO READ | 'Never Allowed its Territory...': What Triggered India's Strong Response to Bangladesh Ahead of Feb 12 PollsLocal residents claimed the group had taken the help of a broker to reach the border area. “They told us they paid a large sum of money to the broker, but after bringing them here, the broker stopped responding, leaving them stranded,” a resident who interacted with the group told the media.Residents of the area said Katigorah and nearby regions in Cachar district have increasingly become a hotspot for illegal migrants, particularly Rohingya nationals. “We come across such cases frequently. With awareness, we can identify suspicious movements and language patterns to some extent,” another local resident said.Police officials added that attempts by Bangladeshi and Myanmar nationals to illegally cross the border through Cachar district have increased over the past one and a half years. The matter is currently under investigation.