West Bengal has opened holding centres in Murshidabad and Malda to detain suspected illegal migrants from Bangladesh [1].
The move marks a significant escalation in the state government's effort to identify and remove undocumented foreigners. This crackdown, ordered by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, follows a policy described as "detect, delete, deport" [3].
Authorities have already detained 12 suspected Bangladeshi migrants in the newly established facilities [1]. The centres are designed to hold suspected illegal foreigners, including Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, while their status is verified [1].
On Tuesday, the impact of the policy was visible at the Hakimpur border in the North 24 Parganas district. More than 100 Bangladeshis queued at the border to return to their home country [2]. This surge in repatriation requests occurred within 48 hours of the holding centres being established [2].
Chief Minister Adhikari said districts should set up these holding centres to streamline the process of managing illegal foreigners [3]. The state government is focusing on the border regions to tighten security and manage the flow of undocumented individuals across the frontier [1, 2].
“More than 100 Bangladeshis queued at the Hakimpur border to return home”
The establishment of dedicated holding centres suggests a shift toward a more systemic and aggressive approach to deportation in West Bengal. By combining detention facilities with a public crackdown, the government is creating a deterrent effect that encourages voluntary repatriation, as evidenced by the sudden rush of individuals at the Hakimpur border.
