THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Kolkata, May 25: The BJP-led West Bengal government on Monday operationalised the state’s first holding centre for illegal foreign nationals in Malda under its “detect, delete and deport” policy, marking a major step in its anti-infiltration drive.
The facility, set up at Chandan Park in English Bazar, is currently housing nine suspected Bangladeshi nationals, including three women and six minors, who were brought from Gazole’s Pandua area on Sunday under tight security arrangements, officials said.
According to district police officials, the holding centre has been created to temporarily accommodate foreign nationals detained for illegal entry or for not possessing valid documents.
“The holding centre has started functioning. Necessary verification and legal procedures are being carried out, and the detainees are being treated according to prescribed legal norms,” a senior police officer told PTI.
High Security and Surveillance Arrangements
Authorities have put extensive security measures in place at the centre, including 24×7 CCTV surveillance, deployment of police personnel, civil defence staff, and civic volunteers. Arrangements for food and maintenance of detainees have also been made.
The move comes days after the state Home and Hill Affairs Department directed all district administrations to establish holding centres for “apprehended foreigners” and “released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation.”
Suvendu Adhikari Pushes Anti-Infiltration Agenda
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had recently announced that individuals identified as illegal immigrants and not covered under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) would be detained by state police and handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) for deportation.
“Those who are outside the purview of the CAA are infiltrators and will be arrested by the state police and handed over to the BSF,” Adhikari had said during a recent meeting with senior BSF officials.
Under the new mechanism, detained foreign nationals can be housed in holding centres for up to 30 days while officials verify their identity, nationality, and documents. The BSF will coordinate with Border Guards Bangladesh for deportation procedures.
Immigration Law and CAA Framework
Officials said the initiative is linked to the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which introduced a technology-driven system for surveillance, detention, and deportation of illegal immigrants.
The law authorises police officers of head constable rank and above to arrest individuals suspected of violating immigration rules without a warrant, while district magistrates will take the final decision on citizenship status.
However, minority communities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India before December 31, 2024, are exempt from prosecution under a separate Union government notification linked to the CAA.
Political Reactions
North Malda BJP MP Khagen Murmu welcomed the move, saying illegal immigrants not covered under the CAA should return to their countries.
TMC leader Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury said the party supports action against illegal immigrants but stressed that no Indian citizen should face harassment.
The issue of infiltration and citizenship has remained a key political issue in West Bengal, particularly in border districts and refugee-dominated areas.