More than 100 Bangladeshi nationals gathered at the Hakimpur border checkpoint on May 26, 2024, to return to Bangladesh [1].
The gathering follows a state-led deportation drive intended to identify and remove illegal immigrants from the region. This movement reflects the immediate impact of government directives to tighten border security and enforce residency laws in West Bengal.
The incident took place in the Basirhat subdivision of the North 24 Parganas district [2]. The individuals, who had been residing illegally in India, converged at the checkpoint amid a wider immigration crackdown [3]. Reports said the scene was a chaotic rush driven by the fear of official deportation actions [4].
The state government's directive to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants has prompted a reverse exodus at the border [3]. This policy shift aims to address long-standing concerns regarding illegal migration, and demographic changes in the border districts.
Local authorities are managing the flow of people at the Hakimpur crossing to ensure an orderly return process. The sudden surge of people at the checkpoint highlights the scale of the undocumented population currently residing in the North 24 Parganas region [2].
The crackdown is part of a broader effort to secure the international boundary and verify the citizenship status of residents in sensitive border zones [2]. Officials said they continue to monitor the checkpoints as more individuals may attempt to leave the country to avoid legal penalties associated with the deportation drive [4].
“More than 100 Bangladeshi nationals gathered at the checkpoint”
This event signals a shift toward more aggressive enforcement of immigration laws in West Bengal. The mass gathering at the Hakimpur checkpoint suggests that state directives are creating a deterrent effect, leading undocumented migrants to self-deport rather than face formal arrest or legal proceedings.
