12 Jalpaiguri: Jalpaiguri Kotwali Police arrested seven Bangladeshi Hindu nationals, who had trespassed into Indian territory to escape religious persecution in Bangladesh.
Those arrested are Chandana Rani alias Rittika Sen, Bhairab Sen, Nikhil Chandra Sen, Dhanesh Roy, Bipul Roy, Deb Babu Roy and a minor boy.
While Dhanesh, Bipul and Deb Babu had infiltrated into India about a month ago and were residing at Jalpaiguri's Fulbari, near Siliguri, the remaining four entered India through the porous border at Haldibari in Cooch Behar. All of them paid Rs 19,000 each to touts to escape Bangladesh.
Police arrested the Bangladeshis at Panda Para check post on Wednesday night when they were trying to escape to Fulbari. Dhanesh, Bipul and Deb Babu had come to receive the remaining four.
All the arrested people hail from Dinajpur in Bangladesh.
"They (the attackers) have left us helpless and hapless as the caretaker govt is doing nothing to ensure our safety," said Rani while being taken to Jalpaiguri court.
The court sent the seven Bangladeshi nationals to police custody for four days.