West Bengal Orders Holding Centres for Bangladeshis, Rohingyas Awaiting Deportation
A notification issued by the Home and Hill Affairs Department on Saturday referred to guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the deportation process for Bangladeshis and Rohingyas found to be staying illegally in the country
Kolkata: The BJP government has decided to set up “holding centres” across districts in West Bengal to keep illegal immigrants including, Bangladeshis, Rohingyas and released foreign prisoners, under detention to fast-track their deportation, days after chief minister Suvendu Adhikari implemented a year-old directive of the Centre.
It also issued an order on Saturday to the director general of police, all the district magistrates (DMs), superintendents of police and police commissioners to execute the decision while referring to the order dated May 2, 2025 of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners' Division).
The state home and hill affairs department (Foreigners’ Branch, SAARC Visa Section) said in the directive, “Enclosed please find the letter under reference regarding the procedure to be followed for deportation of Bangladeshi / Rohingyas apprehended for staying illegally in this country.”
It added, “In this connection 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.”
According to plans, each illegal immigrant will be kept under detention at a “holding centre" for a duration of 30 days during which the suspect’s citizenship credentials will be verified by the police. A final decision on the deportation of the individual will be taken by the DM later. The development comes after the state government entrusted the Border Security Force with land to fence a stretch of 27 kms on the India-Bangladesh border.