Over 6,500 illegal Bangladeshi nationals nabbed, bulldozer action on colonies

A sweeping crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi migrants has begun in Gujarat, with over 6500 people detained across the state in recent days. The action follows heightened security measures after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation was launched in Ahmedabad’s Chandola Lake area, where bulldozers have been deployed to demolish unauthorised settlements.

The administration has mobilised a massive force, with 50 bulldozers, 100 trucks, and over 3000 police personnel deployed for the campaign. The drive targets illegal constructions spread over approximately 1.25 lakh square meters, long considered a hotspot for undocumented migrants and alleged criminal networks.

Officials confirmed that at least 890 of the detainees are from Ahmedabad. The Chandola Lake region has been under surveillance for years due to its association with human trafficking, document forgery, and illegal housing. Authorities say the area became a hub for illegal Bangladeshi migrants during the 1970s and 80s, with several colonies coming up over time.

Residents in the area were seen packing belongings as bulldozers razed multiple structures. The government has justified the action as necessary for national security, especially after concerns that illegal settlements could serve as safe havens for anti-national elements.

Local sources claim that many of those detained had been living in the area for decades, working in low-wage jobs and raising families. However, officials insist that lack of valid documentation and growing security threats necessitated the crackdown.

This operation is being seen as one of the largest in Gujarat’s history against illegal foreign nationals. Further verification and deportation processes are expected to follow as authorities continue identifying and removing undocumented migrants.