Gurgaon: A police investigation has uncovered the alleged employment of Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in the city for high-risk, labour-intensive construction work, including installing scaffolding at dizzying heights.The probe began after 13 Bangladeshi nationals were detained during a recent crackdown on illegal immigrants, with police now shifting focus to the labour contractors suspected of recruiting and deploying them at sites across the city.Investigators found that contractors allegedly preferred Bangladeshi workers for such jobs because labourers from states like UP, Bihar and West Bengal were reluctant to take up the dangerous work. The probe also pointed to a financial motive: Bangladeshi labourers could be hired for lower wages, helping contractors cut construction costs.Police are now examining the network through which the labourers were recruited, housed and employed, gathering details of contractors and subcontractors who may have knowingly hired undocumented workers. Documents related to labour deployment, contractor records and employment arrangements are being scrutinised as part of the ongoing probe.“We want to ensure that no one stays in our country illegally, as it may concern national security too. This crackdown will continue,” a police officer said.The action comes amid heightened verification drives targeting illegal immigrants in the city. Police are also trying to ascertain how long the detained men have been residing in Gurgaon and whether similar labour networks are operating at other construction sites.According to police, the 13 men entered India illegally through the Kaliaganj border in West Bengal with the help of agents, before travelling to Gurgaon in search of work. They were picked up from construction sites and settlements in sectors 69, 70 and 104 during a special verification drive, and are currently undergoing legal procedures that will see them handed over to Bangladeshi authorities through the Border Security Force (BSF).The detainees were identified as Arif, Sumon Ali, Sabir Hussain, Rubal, Sakib, Robiul, Gulzar Hussain, Naeem, Mehboob, Hamidur Islam, Atiyar Rahman and Mohammad Hesan. Most are in the 20-30 age group and were working as labourers at different construction sites.The operation was carried out by the Sector 39 crime branch under the supervision of DCP (crime) Hitesh Yadav, after specific intelligence inputs about suspected illegal migrants. Teams conducted searches over the past two days at labour colonies, slum clusters and construction sites.After medical examinations conducted on Tuesday, the 13 men are expected to be shifted to the deportation centre at Sector 1 in IMT Manesar, where they will remain until documentation is completed. “The Bangladesh high commission will be informed. They will be handed over to the BSF after completion of all documentation. BSF will then transfer them to Bangladeshi officials across the border,” an officer said.Officials said the detentions are part of a wider district-wide verification exercise being carried out in slum settlements, rented accommodations, industrial areas, hotels and commercial establishments. Police have appealed to residents to verify the documents of tenants, domestic helpers and workers employed at shops and businesses.“This exercise is being carried out keeping national security and public safety in mind. No foreign national or Indian citizen living legally will face harassment,” police spokesperson Sandeep Turan said.The latest action comes nearly a year after 10 Bangladeshi nationals detained during a similar drive were sent back through the BSF after completion of legal formalities.
