Navi Mumbai police launch late-night crackdown on criminals and illegal residents

Representational Pic

The Navi Mumbai police has initiated an extensive combing operation aimed at tracking down absconding criminals and identifying illegal foreign nationals residing in the area, as per ANI.

According to Senior Police Inspector Nitin Thackeray, the operation was launched late on Thursday night with the deployment of a force of nearly 70 personnel. This includes two inspectors, seven officers, and 30 members from the Riot Control Police (RCP) unit of Navi Mumbai Police, alongside additional security staff.

"We have constituted three separate teams for the operation. Several high-priority zones have been mapped out and will be scrutinised thoroughly," Thackeray told ANI.

He added that officials are reviewing past criminal records and have already identified a few known offenders. Investigations are underway and will continue over the next few days.

A key objective of the initiative is to identify illegal foreign nationals. Those found without valid documents or suspected of violating immigration rules will face action under the Passport Act, 1967. Citizens have been urged to share any information they may have about such individuals or networks suspected to be involved in drug trafficking or other illicit activities.

"If any member of the public has useful information, we encourage them to report it. Their identity will remain confidential and strict action will be taken based on credible leads," Inspector Thackeray reassured.

Meanwhile, a similar drive is being carried out in neighbouring Gujarat to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. On April 30, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi confirmed that state authorities had launched demolitions against encroachments where Bangladeshi nationals were reportedly residing unlawfully.

In a major action near Ahmedabad's Chandola Lake, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, with support from over 2,000 police personnel, conducted a large-scale demolition of illegal housing. During the operation, more than 180 Bangladeshi individuals were identified by officials.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Gyanendra Singh Malik stated that the Bangal Vaas locality, known for housing Bangladeshi immigrants, has previously been the focus of police action. An FIR has also been registered against one Lallu Bihari, who is accused of producing fake rental agreements and Aadhaar cards to assist illegal residents. Investigations are ongoing into reports of forged Indian passports linked to some individuals.

(With inputs from ANI)