Tripura: NIA Takes Custody Of Human Trafficking Kingpin

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday assumed custody of Hannan Miah, the alleged mastermind behind a human trafficking ring. Miah had been apprehended earlier by the Tripura Police from the Rastar Matha area in Tripura’s Sepahijala district.

He had evaded capture for an extended period after the NIA declared him a fugitive in connection with a case involving human trafficking across the India-Bangladesh international border. The NIA had also offered a cash reward of one lakh rupees for information leading to his arrest.

“Since he was a listed accused in a case being investigated by the NIA, he was handed over to the officials of the investigation agency on Monday. He was produced before the court with a prayer of a transit remand which was later granted. He is now being shifted to Guwahati for further legal procedures,” local police station in-charge of Bishalgarh Police Station Rana Chatterjee told ANI.

Miah originates from Matinagar, a village situated on the border in West Tripura district. He faces charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 120b, 121A, 153A(1), 153B, 465, 471, 295A, 109, and 370, as well as sections 12(1)(a)/12(1A)(a)(b) and 12(2) of the Indian Passport Act 1967.

Investigation agencies have also uncovered Miah’s connections to unlawful associations and terrorist organizations.

ANI quoted order copy of the transit remand, “….the accused person Hannan Miah was arraigned as accused in the case and is involved in conspiracy for trafficking large number of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya migrants from Bangladesh making a large number of forged or fake Indian ID Documents and having link with other absconding accused persons and terrorist organization, underground outfits and unlawful associations.”

The order issued by the local court also stressed the importance of presenting him before the special court.

“In my view, while deciding prayer of Transit Remand the Court is not obligated to record detailed reasons and considering the totality of facts and circumstances in the instant case and to safeguard the ongoing investigation, I am satisfied that the production of the arrested accused person namely Hannan Miah by the NIA Special Court in Guwahati is essential. The prayer of the Tramit Remand of the accused namely Hannan Miah, son of Kalu Mia allowed for four days w.e.f today. The arresting team is directed to produce the above named accused person in the NIA Special Court Guwahati before the Id. NIA Special Judge, Guwahati, Asam as soon as practicable within the said period. Send the copy of this order to all concerned. The case is disposed of,” the order concluded.

A three-member team of NIA investigators arrived in Tripura from Assam to assume custody of the accused individual.