The sudden disappearance of 75 Bangladeshi nationals arrested in Tamil Nadu last year has stirred widespread alarm regarding the state's security measures. This incident highlights significant lapses in managing illegal immigration, prompting Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai to voice strong disapproval. He accused the state government of "failing to handle critical issues that jeopardize national security." His words reflect growing concerns over Tamil Nadu's approach towards the influx of undocumented immigrants.

This episode exposes a larger issue – the systematic negligence of officials tasked with monitoring illegal immigrants. Allegations suggest that these immigrants, including Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, operate within a well-organised network that spans across multiple states. The network reportedly provides them with Indian identity documents like voter IDs, Aadhar cards, ration cards, and driving licenses, which facilitate their access to employment and other opportunities. Once entrenched in these areas, local Jamaats play a pivotal role by offering them accommodation and legal protection, effectively embedding them into the socio-economic fabric.

Tamil Nadu police have been criticized for their lack of stringent follow-ups in such cases. Typically, illegal immigrants are arrested for either overstaying their visa or for not possessing valid travel documentation. Many of these arrests occur only after these individuals attract attention by getting involved in law-and-order disturbances. Despite these actions, critics argue that enforcement often stops short of meaningful resolution, with immigrants eventually blending back into society.

The legal framework surrounding foreign nationals in India is clear. According to a Supreme Court ruling on January 6, "foreign nationals involved in criminal cases cannot leave India without facing trial." The judgment underscores the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to ensure that such individuals remain under constant surveillance.

In the case at hand, the missing 75 immigrants were reportedly held in a special detention camp in Trichy. These camps are designated facilities where foreign nationals involved in criminal offenses within Tamil Nadu are detained. Explaining the protocol, authorities revealed that "even after being granted bail, they are supposed to remain in the special camp until they are deported." However, this policy appears to have been undermined, given the fact that these detainees have now vanished without a trace. This glaring breach of protocol has not only embarrassed the administration but also raised serious national security concerns.

On X, Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai did not hold back in his criticism of the ruling DMK government. He branded it a “Drama Model Government” and accused it of being "clueless, lethargic, and focused more on suppressing opposition voices than maintaining law and order." His scathing remarks reflect deep frustration with the state's handling of governance and security issues. According to Annamalai, the state police force has been diverted from its primary role of maintaining public safety. Instead, he alleged that "police are being misused to intimidate social media critics, arrest elderly women over minor protests, and silence journalists, while criminals continue to roam freely."

Annamalai’s concerns were heightened by the recent vanishing of over 75 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. These individuals had been arrested but were granted bail under questionable circumstances. As per protocol, they were supposed to remain within a special camp in Trichy until either trial proceedings or deportation. However, their current whereabouts remain unknown, raising critical questions about the competence and integrity of the security apparatus. This group was part of a larger contingent of around 175 foreign nationals who had been detained for illegal stay and travel without proper documentation. “The DMK government has no information on their whereabouts,” Annamalai asserted, highlighting severe lapses in security and accountability.

The situation has also attracted the attention of social media activist Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian. He posed a pointed question regarding judicial responsibility, asking, “Why are judges granting bail to individuals incarcerated for illegal immigration?” He expressed disbelief at how easily the Tamil Nadu courts allowed these foreign nationals to walk free, knowing full well that they might disappear. Balasubramanian remarked that “no other country would so easily grant bail to foreign nationals, knowing they would remain at large.” His criticism extended to the perceived inconsistency in the judicial system. He drew a comparison between the leniency shown to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and the treatment of Tamil Nadu fishermen. “Tamil Nadu fishermen who crossed into Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary were denied bail despite India’s diplomatic requests, yet these courts granted bail to the Bangladeshi nationals,” Balasubramanian pointed out, questioning the fairness and priorities of the legal system.

Further complicating the matter, on January 24, 2025, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) units from Coimbatore carried out a series of operations based on intelligence inputs. The raids targeted various locations across Tiruppur, a district known for its industrial activities. During these coordinated searches, authorities detained a total of 36 individuals: 20 from the 15-Velampalayam area, six from Tiruppur South, and 10 from Nallur. Initial investigations revealed that these individuals were employed as daily-wage laborers, primarily working in knitwear factories and construction sites. Their presence in these industries raises further questions about the extent of illegal immigration networks and their infiltration into the local economy.

Alongside the 36 arrests made on January 24, 2025, police detained 12 Bangladeshi nationals earlier this week during a raid in Nallur. In an attempt to salvage its faltering security image, the state police launched document verification drives, checking Aadhaar cards to identify individuals residing illegally. While this may seem like a step in the right direction, critics argue that these actions are too little, too late.

The scale of the problem became evident when police revealed that 98 Bangladeshi nationals had been arrested in January alone in Tiruppur district. These arrests bring to light the DMK administration's longstanding inability to curb illegal migration. The districts of Tiruppur and Coimbatore, known for their industrial importance, have become hotbeds for undocumented migrants due to lax oversight and poor coordination between government agencies. Migrants continue to slip through the cracks, securing employment in the region’s flourishing hosiery and textile sectors without proper documentation.

It is clear that illegal migrants have not only infiltrated industries but also diversified into various trades. Many take up odd jobs in construction and farming, while others work as masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and mechanic assistants. Despite being aware of this growing trend, the state government appears to have been complacent. Critics assert that had there been stricter checks and enforcement, such widespread infiltration could have been prevented. These migrants often reside in groups, either in makeshift camps or more permanent shelters, making it easier for them to evade detection for extended periods.

This ongoing crisis has underscored the DMK's failure to establish a robust security framework. Leaders like K. Annamalai have consistently accused the government of diverting resources to suppress dissent rather than focusing on national security. Instead of implementing effective border control measures and inter-district coordination, the state administration seems to have prioritized political vendettas over public safety. The question remains—how long will this pattern of negligence continue before the DMK acknowledges the magnitude of the problem?

With arrests escalating, the pressure on the government to act decisively has never been higher. Yet critics warn that unless there is a significant policy shift, the state will remain vulnerable to illegal immigration, thereby compromising its security and economic stability.