The Assam police arrested an 80-year-old man, Islam Mandal, and a 13-year-old minor on suspicion of their association with Ansarullah Bangla Team and Indian IS. The arrest took place in Morigaon district’s Laharighat. Mandal’s Bangladesh passport was confiscated during the operation. Notably, local residents revealed that Mandal had been actively participating in various elections in Assam.
The duo is believed to have entered Assam illegally through the Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura on December 15. Both suspects had been residing in Chenimari village in Morigaon district. Further investigation uncovered that Mandal was living in Lahorighat under the changed name Noor Mandal.
The police expressed suspicion about Mandal’s passport, where his date of birth was recorded as January 1, 1943. However, Mandal’s physical appearance contradicted the indicated age. The authorities suspect that Mandal entered Assam with a specific motive.
Responding to reporters’ questions about Mandal’s inclusion in the voter’s list, the Morigaon SP acknowledged such instances occurring in Assam. He mentioned receiving reports of Bangladeshi individuals entering Assam with passports and subsequently disappearing. The SP expressed concern about the illegal entry and the potential misuse of the electoral process by such individuals.
The SP of Morigaon district informed the media that the arrests were made as part of ongoing investigations. Twelve individuals were previously picked up from the Morabari police station area, and the latest arrests were made based on initial findings.
The SP highlighted the growing issue of illegal entry, with individuals from Bangladesh entering Assam and sometimes participating in elections. He suggested that the minor accompanying Mandal might have stayed in Assam while Mandal possibly returned to Bangladesh.
