NIA charges 3 Myanmar nationals in Rohingya trafficking case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday filed charges against three Myanmar nationals in connection with a major international human trafficking case.

The case involves illegal infiltration and trafficking of foreigners, mainly Rohingya, across the India-Bangladesh border into India.

The accused were identified as Rabbi Islam, Shafi Alam and Mohammad Usman. They are all permanent residents of Maungdaw District, Myanmar.

According to NIA investigations, all the accused entered India illegally without valid travel documents with the help of human traffickers and touts.

“They were also involved in facilitating the infiltration of many other foreigners through unauthorized and illegal border routes,” the NIA charge sheet said.

“They are part of a network of human traffickers and touts involved in various illegal activities and also lure vulnerable Rohingya women seeking refuge in Bangladesh into India with false promises of marriage to Rohingya men,” the report added. .

The chargesheet also alleged that the women were then sold for forced marriage in various states in India, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Telangana, Haryana and others.

The NIA investigation also found that the accused Rabi Islam and Mohammad Usman obtained the Aadhaar cards through fraudulent means. The pair also used the cards to purchase multiple SIM cards and open bank accounts, further hiding their true identities.

With this charge sheet, the National Intelligence Agency began investigating the case on November 7, 2023, taking a significant step in uncovering and dismantling a major international human trafficking gang and network.