THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Kolkata, May 24: The West Bengal government has directed all district administrations to set up “holding centres” for apprehended foreigners and released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation, ahead of a statewide crackdown on alleged illegal immigrants.
In a letter issued on Saturday, the state’s Home and Hill Affairs Department asked district magistrates to initiate the process in accordance with Union Home Ministry guidelines related to the deportation of “Bangladeshi/Rohingyas apprehended for staying illegally in this country.”
“It is requested to take initiative/appropriate action for setting up of Holding Centres in the district for apprehended foreigners as well as for the released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation/repatriation in accordance with the MHA guideline under reference,” the order stated.
Crackdown on Illegal Immigration
The move comes amid renewed focus on illegal immigration and infiltration in the state.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari had said on Wednesday that the state government would implement policies linked to illegal immigration under the slogan “detect, delete, deport.”
“The Indian government had sent an order on May 14, 2025, asking the Bengal government to identify Bangladeshi immigrants and hand them over to the BSF for deportation. But the previous government did not act,” Adhikari claimed at Nabanna on Wednesday.
CAA Eligibility Explained
According to state government officials, individuals eligible under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) who entered India before December 31, 2024, may apply for Indian citizenship.
“Non-Muslim immigrants — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians — who came from Bangladesh, Pakistan or Afghanistan before December 31, 2024, can apply for citizenship under the CAA,” a senior official said.
The development is expected to intensify the political debate over illegal immigration and citizenship issues in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming elections.