Several Bangladeshi nationals were moved to a holding centre in Mekhliganj's Changrabandha on Sunday [1].
The operation is part of a broader effort by the West Bengal government to curb illegal entry into India. This crackdown signals an intensifying focus on border security and the identification of undocumented migrants in the region.
The individuals were transferred to the facility in the Cooch Behar district under the joint security of police and the Border Security Force [1], [2]. This move aligns with the state's "detect, delete, deport" anti-infiltration policy [3]. This strategy aims to identify illegal immigrants, remove their names from official records, and facilitate their repatriation to Bangladesh.
Border security remains a critical priority for the state administration. To support these efforts, land has been provided for barbed-wire fencing along a 27 km [3] unfenced stretch of the Bangladesh border. The installation of these physical barriers is intended to reduce the number of unauthorized crossings and complement the administrative efforts of the "detect, delete, deport" initiative.
Officials said they have not yet released the total number of individuals currently held at the Changrabandha facility. The use of holding centres allows the government to secure individuals while their citizenship status is verified and the legal process for deportation is initiated.
“Several Bangladeshi nationals were moved to a holding centre in Mekhliganj's Changrabandha on Sunday.”
The movement of Bangladeshi nationals to holding centres reflects the West Bengal government's commitment to a strict anti-infiltration mandate. By combining physical infrastructure, such as the 27 km fencing project, with the 'detect, delete, deport' policy, the state is attempting to create a comprehensive deterrent against illegal migration and a streamlined process for deportation.
