Mumbai: Concerns over rising infiltration have resurfaced after a Rohingya national with a bogus Aadhaar card was reportedly found operating in the Girgaum area. Reacting strongly to the incident, Maharashtra minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has demanded an immediate and strict crackdown on illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi residents across the city.
Lodha met Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti at the Police Headquarters on Friday, where he raised serious allegations of growing infiltration in Malad, Malvani, and even South Mumbai. He informed the Commissioner that Bangladeshi and Rohingya street vendors were found openly conducting their businesses in Girgaum, some allegedly possessing identical fake Aadhaar cards.
BJP workers, who carried out preliminary checks, reported instances of intimidation by certain street vendors along with misuse of forged identification documents. A memorandum demanding stringent action—signed by South Mumbai BJP officials—was submitted to the Police Commissioner during the meeting.
Malvani Demolitions Uncover Illegal Settlements
The first phase of action against unauthorized constructions in Malvani has already been completed, with illegal structures spread over nearly 9,000 square meters demolished. Many of these structures were reportedly occupied by Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals. Local residents accused MLA Aslam Sheikh of supporting the encroachments and claimed he was preparing to rebuild the demolished shanties with tin sheds.
Lodha urged the Commissioner to initiate further investigations and ensure strong follow-up action to prevent the re-establishment of such illegal settlements.
Police Assure Strong Action
Commissioner Deven Bharti assured Lodha that the Mumbai Police would initiate swift, decisive measures against all foreign nationals living illegally in the city, especially those using forged Indian documents.
The latest discovery has renewed calls for stricter surveillance, document verification drives, and coordinated action to curb illegal infiltration across Mumbai.
