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MANGALURU: The Mangaluru City Police have detained 38 Sri Lankan nationals who were illegally staying in lodges of the city, in small groups, for more than a month and without passports on Thursday.

A team of officials from the Mangaluru Central subdivision and the CCB picked the Sri Lankan men from lodges in Azizuddin Road, Rao & Rao Circle and houses in Kasba Bengre.

City Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar told reporters on Friday those who have been detained are mostly from Northern Sri Lanka. The Intelligence Wing of Tamil Nadu had tipped off the city police that 39 Sri Lankans were in the City. However, it is learnt that one person aged around 65- 70 years has returned.

Preliminary investigation revealed the Sri Lankans arrived at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu on March 17 after they allegedly paid 5 -10 lakh of Sri Lankan Rupees each to an agent who promised them jobs in Canada. They were expected to leave in container vessels or cargo ships or private boats to Canada from Tamil Nadu. Many were even thinking of settling down in Canada and said they know people who have gone through these agents from Tamil Nadu in the past, he said,

They stayed in lodges in Madurai and Salem and due to Tamil Nadu elections and intensified checking on lodges, they were shifted to Shantinagar in Bengaluru. In small groups, they arrived in Mangaluru. They claimed they were working as fishermen or labourers in the city, said Shashi Kumar.

He said, “ A special team will look into the case and take it to a logical end. The team will also coordinate with the Tamil Nadu police, who will arrive at the city soon. Meanwhile, the police have taken into custody six locals who were involved in food supply and helping them in the city.”

A case has been registered at the Mangaluru South Police station under IPC section 120 (B) (Criminal conspiracy) 370 (Buying or disposing of any person as a slave) and 420 (cheating), Section 14 Foreigners Act 1964 and Section 12 (1) (a) Passport Act 1967.