For Delhi Police, now, they are the latest ‘target’. For, police officials say that a large, and increasing, number of these illegal immigrants to the city are getting into ‘regular crime’ — murders and murder attempts, burglaries, robberies, snatchings and drug peddling among others.

Police say the first case of illegal Bangladeshi migrants being involved in a crime in Delhi was found back in 1998: in a double murder case in Punjabi Bagh.

But despite pinpointing their alleged involvement in these crimes, police officials say keeping a tab on their population — estimated to be a few lakhs — here is difficult.

Figures available with the police show that more than 4,000 illegal Bangladeshi migrants are deported from the Capital every year. However, whenever the police trace such migrants, they come up with an identity proof showing that they are residents of Delhi, sources said.

“Around 30,000 migrants have been sent to Bangladesh since 2003 but there is still a large number (staying in NCR illegally). The illegal migrants have been able to secure ration cards, driving licenses, voter identity cards and even PAN cards,” an officer said.

While the intelligence agencies have issued alerts that Bangladeshis are recruited by militant outfits, the Delhi Police has “Bangladeshi cells” in all its 10 districts. These gather intelligence on illegal migrants and help FRRO in deporting them, sources said. “These cells identify illegal Bangladeshi migrants and notify us,” said Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said.

Sources said criminal elements from across the eastern border provide easy hideouts and logistical help to terrorists. “And since there are fellow illegal migrants in neighbouring states, it is easy for them to hide,” the source said.

Bangladeshis deported from Delhi
2003: 5,813
2004: 6,027
2005: 5,754
2006: 4,742
2007: 4,117
2008: (till May): 1,400
(Source: Delhi Police records)