Bangladeshi Nationals Queue at Hakimpur Border After Crackdown

A noticeable shift is underway at West Bengal’s border points as more than 100 undocumented Bangladeshi nationals lined up at Hakimpur check post on Tuesday, seeking to return home. The development comes weeks after the state government rolled out its “Detect, Delete and Deport” framework targeting illegal immigrants. The arrivals at the Bithari Hakimpur Gram Panchayat post in North 24 Parganas were the latest in a series of departures triggered by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s directive to identify and remove foreign nationals living unlawfully in the state. Police records show that many of those gathered had previously resided in districts far from the border, indicating the reach of the ongoing verification drive. Under the new rules, district administrations are establishing holding centers where suspected foreigners can be kept for a maximum of 30 days. During this period, biometric data is collected and uploaded to a central database, allowing immigration officials to confirm identities before handing individuals over to the BSF for deportation. Tuesday’s group included families as well as single adults who had entered India without valid documents years ago. Their decision to approach the border voluntarily suggests that news of stricter enforcement and possible detention has prompted many to reconsider remaining in India. Border security personnel conducted preliminary checks and coordinated with Bangladesh authorities to ensure an orderly crossing. Observers note that the process is being carried out under the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025, which provides the legal basis for both detention and repatriation. State officials emphasize that the holding centers are not permanent jails but short-term facilities meant to complete documentation and nationality verification. The policy is also intended to align with central government instructions on handling illegal Bangladeshi migrants and Rohingya refugees. As more districts activate their centers, authorities anticipate additional groups will head to designated border points. The steady flow at Hakimpur is being viewed as an early indicator of the policy’s impact on voluntary repatriation.