West Bengal directs setting up holding centres for illegal foreigners awaiting deportation
Kolkata, May 24
The West Bengal government has directed all district magistrates to set up holding centres for apprehended foreigners and released foreign prisoners who are awaiting deportation or repatriation, in line with Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines.
According to an official communication issued by the Home and Hill Affairs Department, districts have been asked to take necessary steps for housing individuals identified as staying illegally in the country, including those who have completed prison sentences and are awaiting deportation.
The directive, issued on May 23, 2026, instructs authorities to act as per the MHA framework on deportation and repatriation procedures for Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas found residing illegally in India.
Earlier, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari directed the state police officials to directly hand over Bangladeshi immigrants to Border Security Force (BSF), rather than presenting them in court.
Fencing work has begun along the India-Bangladesh border in the Phansidewa area of Siliguri subdivision after the West Bengal government handed over 27 kilometres of land to the Border Security Force (BSF), marking a key step toward strengthening border security in the region.
Visuals from the border town showed fencing work underway, with officials initiating groundwork following the long-pending land transfer. The move is expected to bolster surveillance and improve security infrastructure along the sensitive international border.
Locals expressed relief over the development, calling it a long-awaited measure to address persistent security concerns.
"This is a border area where there was no security before. The environment here was so horrific before that I cannot describe it. Before, we couldn't even raise cows here. Raising cows was the same as surrendering ourselves to the Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. This was a matter of security not only for West Bengal but for the entire country. Today, we feel that thanks to the efforts of the new government and the new Chief Minister, we are safe," said a resident, Anil Ghosh.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see West Bengal taking this step. But I wonder how this affects Rohingya refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar - they deserve protection, not detention. Complex issue.
As a Bengali, I'm conflicted. Border security is important for our safety, but we've coexisted with Bangladeshis for generations. Need to differentiate between genuine refugees and infiltrators. The fencing will create issues for families on both sides of the border. 😕
India has every right to secure its borders. Every sovereign nation does. The NRC and CAA debates aside, this is about enforcing existing laws. Good to see state governments cooperating with MHA guidelines.
This is long overdue! My uncle in North Bengal has suffered due to illegal encroachment. The new CM is serious about this. But why only now? This should have been done years ago. Better late than never I guess. 💪
One concern: holding centres could become permanent detention camps if deportation procedures are slow. Bangladesh and Myanmar need to cooperate on return of their citizens. Otherwise we'll end up with Guantanamo-style facilities. Need diplomatic push.
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