Kolkata: Cops from Baruipur district police on Monday arrested 24 people for illegally entering India by crossing the maritime boundary from Satkhira in Bangladesh without passport or visa.
Among the arrested were 11 women and nine men, who were accompanied by four children. The men claimed they came in search of work, said police, adding that some of the women said they had homes in India.
The Sundarbans coastal police received a tip-off and caught the group inside Chila forest. "They said they had started their journey three days ago. Bangladeshi agents put them on five country boats and the group travelled to Borochila and then, to Harikhali. In the morning, they had taken shelter inside the forest near Kumirmari, when they were caught," said an officer.
Police said they did not come to commit any crime, and that they were provided with food and water. "A network of brokers is suspected to be involved," said police.