ED Raids in Jharkhand and West Bengal Target Alleged Bangladeshi Infiltration Ahead of Polls

Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday raided multiple locations in poll-bound Jharkhand apart from West Bengal in a money laundering investigation linked to alleged illegal infiltration of Bangleshi nationals, official sources said.

Items Recovered During Raids

"Incriminating" items like fake Ahaar cards, forged passports, illegal arms, immovable property documents, cash, jewellery, printing paper and machines, and blank proforma used for forging Ahaar ID were recovered during raids carried out at a total of 17 places in two neighbouring states by Ranchi office of federal probe ncy, federal ncy said in a statement.

Raids Conducted Before Jharkhand Polling

action came a day before first phase of polling in Jharkhand. Visuals of CRPF personnel positioned outside a hotel located on Bariatu Ro in Ranchi and a resort in city were captured by press teams as ED teams scoured for documents, ledger entries, and financial records inside. 

Sources said a few people have been detained and are being questioned by ED officials.

Political Reactions to ED Action

ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) slammed BJP -led Centre alleging that central ncy's action was an attempt to "help saffron camp establish its Bangleshi infiltration narrative". Congress , an ally of government, also me a similar allegation saying raids are t for Bangleshi infiltrators but a last attempt to save BJP's political ground in state.

Previous ED Case and Alleged Trafficking

searches came after ED h in September filed a case under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe an instance of alleged infiltration and trafficking of some Bangleshi women into Jharkhand leing to generation of alleged slush funds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and or BJP leers have accused state government of aiding such infiltration leing to altering of demographic landscape of tribal-dominated areas of Santhal Pargana and Kolhan regions during recent poll campaign.

Accusations by BJP Leers

Uttar Presh Chief Minister Yogi ityanath on Monday accused ruling JMM-led coalition of converting Jharkhand into a 'dharmashala' for Rohingyas and Bangleshi infiltrators. Union Home Minister Amit Shah anunced in Seraikela on Monday that a committee would be formed, if BJP is voted to power in Jharkhand, to identify and drive out infiltrators from state besides reclaiming land grabbed by m.

Upcoming Polls in Jharkhand

first phase of Assembly polls is slated for 43 constituencies on Wednesday, while second for 38 seats will be held on vember 20.

ED Investigation Based on Jharkhand Police FIR

ECIR (enforcement case information report) filed by central ncy stems from a Jharkhand Police FIR filed at Bariatu police station (Ranchi) in June. police FIR, filed on complaint of a Bangleshi woman who allegedly infiltrated into country from along India- Banglesh border with help of touts to find work, has named around six women as accused who were arrested following a raid at a local resort.

Details of Police FIR

woman who filed complaint escaped from a similar guest house and reached police station. Police also recovered a "fake" Ahaar card from one of se women. Police pressed multiple IPC sections like 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 34 (common intention) in FIR.

It also slapped section 12 of Passport Act (kwingly furnishing any false information or suppressing any material information with a view to obtaining a passport or travel document) and 14A of Foreigners Act (penalty for entry in restricted area) in complaint.

FIR quoted woman complainant saying y were trafficked into India from Banglesh allegedly for prostitution by luring m in name of getting a job in beauty salons.

ED's Investigation into Infiltration

ED sources h earlier said ncy will investigate "entire gamut" of infiltration from across eastern borders, including Banglesh, into Jharkhand, including in tribal districts of Santhal Pargana and Kolhan.

PM Modi's Allegations Against Jharkhand Government

Prime Minister Modi, while dressing a poll rally a few months ago, accused Jharkhand government of encouraging Bangleshi and Rohingya infiltration for vote bank politics and criticised it for "rampant corruption". prime minister asserted that se infiltrators pose a significant threat to state by altering demographic landscape of Santhal Pargana and Kolhan regions.

Modi accused JMM of "supporting infiltrators" and claimed that "illegal immigrants from neighbouring country have mand to gain influence over ruling party in state".

Jharkhand Government's Response

He criticised Jharkhand government for refusing to ackwledge infiltration issue despite a high court order to establish an independent panel to investigate influx of Bangleshi immigrants. Union government h informed Jharkhand High Court that illegal Bangleshi immigrants are living in state.

Reacting to affidavit, JMM central spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said if re was infiltration in Jharkhand, Union home and defence ministries should take responsibility for it.