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More than 100 migrant workers, including women and children, were allegedly detained during a police operation in Bengaluru to identify suspected Bangladeshi nationals, according to civil rights and labour organisations.
Police, however, said the operation was aimed at identifying foreign nationals living illegally in the city and that 105 Bangladeshi nationals were detained after verifying the documents of nearly 3,000 people.
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), All India Lawyers Association for Justice, Democratic Workers and Employees Union, and All India Central Council of Trade Unions have submitted a written complaint to the Karnataka home minister, director general of police and Bengaluru police commissioner.
The organisations alleged that police raided several slums and settlements inhabited by migrant workers early Saturday and detained large numbers of people in the name of checking identity documents.
They claimed that 41 people were detained in Bhurampura, more than 200 in Bandepalya, around 150 in Hexagagurki and over 400 in Paranjana Agrahara. Similar detentions were reported from several other police stations, they alleged.
The groups also accused police of assaulting workers with batons, confiscating mobile phones and checking private messages and call records.
They further alleged that some people were referred to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office based on their communication with international phone numbers.
The organisations said mass detention in the name of identity verification was unlawful and alleged that the provisions of Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were not properly followed.
They have demanded the immediate release of those detained, medical treatment for anyone injured, an independent investigation, action against police personnel found responsible and compensation for the affected workers.
Bengaluru Police, meanwhile, maintained that the operation was conducted to identify foreign nationals staying illegally in the city. After checking documents of around 3,000 people, police said they detained 105 Bangladeshi nationals.
The contrasting accounts have sparked renewed concerns in Bengaluru over the treatment of migrant workers during police operations aimed at identifying undocumented foreign nationals.
