Udupi: Coastal Security heightened after arrest of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants in Malpe

Team Udayavani, Oct 17, 2024, 11:33 AM IST

Following the arrest of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants in Malpe, the Udupi district police and the coastal security forces have intensified their vigilance. Authorities have begun a detailed inquiry and information-gathering process, especially in areas where large numbers of out-of-state workers are employed, such as ports, construction zones, and fishmeal industries.

The district police are now collecting information about out-of-state workers employed in various sectors through an online format (Google Form). All companies have been directed to immediately submit details of the workers, including how long they have been employed, their state of origin, and the agency that brought them in. An official revealed that this data collection effort is part of a broader attempt to monitor and regulate the presence of non-local workers.

Lack of Accurate Data on Out-of-State Workers

The labor department lacks precise data on the number of out-of-state workers in Udupi. Although the department has information on both organized and unorganized workers from Karnataka, it does not maintain detailed records on the influx of workers from other states. Officials have noted that despite directives to upload worker information via the Seva Sindhu portal, the number of entries remains significantly low.

Karkala: Two More Illegal Immigrants Detained

In a related development, police in Karkala detained two more Bangladeshi illegal immigrants on Wednesday. The detained individuals are currently under interrogation.This follows last week’s arrest of seven Bangladeshi immigrants who were residing illegally in Tonse village near Malpe. Additional reports suggest that a larger number of illegal immigrants may still be residing in the district, prompting further investigations.

Concerns Over National Security

The coastal region of Karnataka, being a crucial border area, has raised concerns about national security. Despite the presence of coastal security police and the Coast Guard, security at ports like Malpe remains inadequate, causing alarm among locals. There is little to no screening of boats entering from other states, raising fears about the ease with which illegal immigrants can cross borders.

Locals have criticized the lack of security at Malpe Port, accusing intelligence agencies of failing to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining local addresses and even passports over the past four to five years. In response, coastal security police have reiterated their commitment to increasing surveillance and ensuring accurate data collection on out-of-state workers.

“It is challenging to gather precise data as workers often change every 2-3 months. However, we have already issued instructions to all companies to submit details via Google Forms,” said Mithun, SP, Karnataka Coastal Security Police