India police raid on Delhi migrants shows stark inequalities

An upscale Indian suburb is rounding up some of its most marginalised residents, saying they are illegal immigrants.

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Inside the gated compounds live some of India's richest, while in the slums nearby live poor migrant workers - mostly domestic helpers, garbage-pickers and daily-wage workers - who keep the affluence going.

Last month, local authorities rounded up hundreds of these workers, most of whom say they are Bengali-speaking Muslims from India's West Bengal state, in a "verification" drive targeting illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

The suspects were detained and kept at "holding centres" where they were asked to provide documents to prove their citizenship. Many allege they were beaten and mistreated by police during the process. Police officials deny these allegations.

"I had my voter and national ID cards, but they told me they were fake. I spent six days not knowing my fate before I was finally released," said Ather Ali Sheikh, a daily-wage worker, who has lived in the city for 15 years.