Ahmedabad: A joint operation by the authorities is underway to remove illegal encroachments in the Chandola Talav area of the city, known as a hub of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants. According to police, 50 teams from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and more than 2,000 police officers and personnel are involved in the demolition drive, which is currently in progress.

Addressing the media about the demolition action, Sharad Singhal, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Ahmedabad, said, “In recent years, four active members of the banned terrorist organization AQIS (Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent), originally from Bangladesh, were arrested by the Gujarat ATS from this area (Chandola Talav) in Ahmedabad city and booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The case is currently under investigation by the NIA. At present, several terrorists affiliated with ABT (Ansarullah Bangla Team) and JMB (Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh), who escaped from Bangladeshi jails, are reportedly attempting to infiltrate India by creating sympathizers in the Chandola Talav area.”

“Multiple drug-related cases have been reported from this area in the past, with active involvement by Bangladeshis. Drug trafficking was a known issue in the locality. Last year, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch busted a human trafficking racket, in which young Bangladeshi girls were lured to the city, physically abused, and forced into prostitution,” he added.

The senior police officer said, “The Crime Branch uncovered a case involving fake documents and money laundering. The accused were earning money through illegal means and transferring it to Bangladesh. Recently, the Ahmedabad City Crime Branch uncovered a case in which fake documents were used to obtain an Indian passport for a Bangladeshi national. An FIR is being filed in this matter.

Giving the details about the timeline of the action against these illegal immigrants, Singhal said, “Under the directions of the Chief Minister, the Minister of Home Affairs, and the DGP, and under the guidance of senior police officials, a high-level meeting was held on April 25, 2025. The meeting focused on eliminating illegal activities in the Chandola Lake area, preventing future encroachments, and safeguarding government property. Instructions were issued to take action against encroachers in every district.”

“Following this, on April 26, 2025, at 3:00 AM, Ahmedabad City Police launched a combing operation around Chandola Lake. About 890 suspicious individuals were rounded up and brought to the Crime Branch office for document verification and questioning. So far, over 150 individuals have been confirmed as Bangladeshi nationals, and the interrogation of others is ongoing. During verification, it was found that one Lalu Bihari was facilitating the illegal infiltration of Bangladeshis and providing them with electricity connections. A case has been registered against him and his son, and the son has been arrested,” he added.

“Officials from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, the Ahmedabad Collector’s office, and the City Police surveyed the area on April 27 and 28, and found that several Bangladeshis and individuals like Lalu Bihari had illegally encroached upon Chandola Lake and nearby government land. On the morning of April 29, 2025, a joint operation was launched by all concerned agencies, involving 50 teams from the Municipal Corporation and more than 2,000 police officers and personnel. The process of removing these illegal encroachments is currently underway,” he added. DeshGujarat