Illegal migrants flock border to return as Bengal begins holding centres

Large groups of alleged illegal Bangladeshi migrants gathered at multiple border points in West Bengal on Tuesday amid the state government’s newly announced “detect, delete and deport” policy targeting illegal infiltration. At the Hakimpur checkpoint in the Basirhat subdivision of North 24 Parganas district, more than a hundred men and women assembled seeking to return across the international border.

According to administrative sources, many of the individuals had allegedly been living illegally in different parts of West Bengal and arrived at the border after recent government announcements regarding deportation procedures and the establishment of holding centres for foreign nationals. Authorities have intensified monitoring along border districts including North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and Malda following the launch of the drive.

The state government recently announced that suspected illegal entrants outside the ambit of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act would face arrest and deportation procedures. During a meeting with senior Border Security Force officials, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that those not covered under the provisions of the CAA would be treated as infiltrators and handed over to the BSF after arrest by state police.

Simultaneously, the government has started establishing holding centres across districts to temporarily house suspected illegal immigrants and foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation. The initiative follows directives issued by the Home and Hill Affairs Department’s Foreigners’ Branch in line with Union government guidelines concerning Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas residing illegally in India.

Malda has become the first district where a holding centre has begun functioning. The facility, located at Chandan Park in English Bazar town, is currently housing nine suspected Bangladeshi nationals, including three women and six minors, who were detained in the Pandua area under Gazole Police Station before being shifted there. Security arrangements at the centre include CCTV surveillance along with deployment of police personnel, civil defence staff, civic volunteers and support workers.

Officials stated that the holding centres are functioning as temporary transit facilities while nationality verification procedures are carried out. Under the present framework, suspected illegal entrants can reportedly be held for up to 30 days while district magistrates and designated officers verify documents, collect biometric details and upload records to central databases before repatriation procedures are initiated. Authorities are also linking the current drive to the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which introduced updated provisions regarding surveillance, detention and deportation of foreign nationals.