Kollam: Reports suggest that nearly 10,000 Bangladeshis are living in different parts of Kerala posing as migrant workers with forged identity documents. The operations of this alleged racket came to light after police recently detained 10 Bangladeshi nationals in Kottarakkara, Kollam district. They were found carrying Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, voter ID cards, and even ration cards bearing Kerala addresses. Preliminary investigations indicate that counterfeit identity documents resembling genuine originals can be obtained for as little as ₹700.

According to investigators, many of them first enter India through the Bangladesh border and reach places such as Murshidabad in West Bengal. After getting initial forged documents there, they move to various parts of the country. Many reportedly choose Kerala because of better employment opportunities. Arriving under the label of migrant workers from West Bengal, they later use local addresses to assume Indian identities.

Police have received reports that a large mafia network operating from Bengaluru may be behind these forged documents. The documents are reportedly so convincing that identifying them as fake is difficult. Those arrested in Kottarakkara had been residing in Kerala for years. Investigators confirmed their Bangladeshi nationality after examining their mobile phones and finding copies of Bangladeshi passports.

Authorities have also found evidence of a chain migration pattern, where those who arrived in Kerala years ago brought relatives into the state. One such case involves a Bangladeshi woman, Mugal Khatoon, who arrived in Kerala through West Bengal 13 years ago and allegedly obtained all Indian identity documents under the name "Mamdas." She later brought several relatives to Kerala. Reports indicate that two months before her arrest, she had travelled back to Bangladesh with two children using a Bangladeshi passport.

Central intelligence agencies and the state intelligence wing reportedly view the situation as a serious security concern. Authorities say it is crucial to determine whether individuals with criminal backgrounds or links to anti-national activities are also using forged documents to stay in Kerala. While subtle linguistic differences can help distinguish genuine workers from West Bengal and Bangladeshi nationals, many people are reportedly reluctant to share information due to fear.

As investigations intensify, reports suggest that many Bangladeshis across the state are preparing to leave. Several areas have already seen a decline in the migrant worker population. Apart from workers not returning after travelling home to vote, increased scrutiny by investigative agencies is also believed to be contributing to the decline. Authorities plan to verify the documents of migrant workers across Kerala in the coming days and identify any illegal infiltrators using forged identities.