Bengal Illegal Immigrants: A big campaign against illegal immigrants is going to start in West Bengal. Shubhendu Adhikari Government has given instructions to set up holding centers in every district. Suspected Bangladeshi and Rohingya citizens will be identified and handed over to BSF.
Bangladesh Infiltrators In Bengal: The issue of illegal infiltration has been one of the hottest and controversial topics in West Bengal politics for a long time. During the assembly elections, BJP had made a big promise to expel Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators from the state. Now after coming to power, Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari’s government seems to be moving rapidly on this issue. The state government has issued instructions to set up ‘holding centres’ in every district. Those people who are suspected of staying in India illegally will be kept in these centres. The government claims that now the laws and guidelines of the central government will be implemented with full strictness.
Holding centers will be built in every district
In the instructions issued by the State Secretariat Nabanna, it has been said that special ‘holding centres’ will be created in all the districts of West Bengal. These centers will be used to keep those who are suspected to be Bangladeshi or Rohingya infiltrators. According to instructions:
- Suspicious people can be kept in the holding center for 30 days
- Documents will be scrutinized during this period
- Foreign citizens already in jail can also be shifted here.
- They will be kept in the center till the deportation process is completed.
The state government has instructed the district magistrates and police administration to implement this process expeditiously.
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What did Shubhendu Adhikari say?
Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari recently clearly said in the press conference that the previous government did not implement the instructions of the Center seriously. He claimed that now strict action will be taken against illegal infiltration in the state. He said:
- Those who do not come under the purview of CAA will be identified
- Those living illegally will be arrested
- They will be directly handed over to BSF
- BSF will send them back to their native country
- Shubhendu Adhikari called it an issue related to the security and law and order of the state.
What is ‘Detect, Delete and Deport’ mission?
The West Bengal government has claimed to adopt ‘Detect, Delete and Deport’ policy against illegal immigrants. As per central guidelines:
- Special Task Force (STF) will be formed in every state
- Suspicious people will be identified
- Their biometric information will be uploaded on the portal
- Once their identity is confirmed, they will be handed over to border agencies.
- Later he will be blacklisted in India
The government says that this will strengthen control over illegal infiltration.
What is in the guidelines of the Central Government?
On May 2, 2025, the Foreigners Division of the Union Home Ministry had issued a detailed instruction. In this, states were asked to speed up the process of identification and deportation of illegal infiltrators. Key points of the guidelines:
If the police or investigating agency suspects a person, he can be detained
- He can be kept in the holding center for 30 days
- During this period, documents related to citizenship will be checked.
- The final decision will be taken by the District Magistrate or Collector level officer.
The Center has also said that the Border Guard and Coast Guard can take direct action if needed.
Why did this issue become heated in Bengal?
The issue of illegal infiltration in Bengal has always been at the center of political debate. The BJP has long claimed that there has been a large number of illegal infiltrations into the border districts, leading to increased pressure on security and resources. At the same time, opposition parties have been linking this issue to political polarization. In such a situation, this step of Shubhendu government is being considered as a big political message before the upcoming elections.
Now the biggest focus is on how fast this entire process is implemented on the ground. After construction of the holding centre, commencement of identification process and increased coordination with BSF, action can be seen on a large scale in the state.
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