- Hundreds of Bangladeshi nationals gathered at West Bengal's Bithari-Hakimpur border.
- They sought to flee India amid 'detect, delete, deport' policy.
- New holding centers opened in Malda, Murshidabad for illegal immigrants.
West Bengal: Hundreds of Bangladeshi nationals without valid documents gathered at the Bithari-Hakimpur border in North 24 Parganas on Tuesday, apparently seeking to flee India. The development comes amid a crackdown on illegal immigrants under the BJP government's 'detect, delete, and deport' policy.
'Jaldi Jaldi Bhago Nahi To...': Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari
Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari issued a clear warning to all suspected infiltrators, saying, "Escape quickly, or the government will do whatever it takes."
He also directed officials to send the detained infiltrators back to Bangladesh as soon as possible.
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Hundreds Of People Head Towards The Border
Bangladesh men, women, and children were seen heading toward the border crossing near the Swarupnagar area on Tuesday. However, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel detained them and initiated the formal process of handing them over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
#WATCH | North 24 Parganas, West Bengal | A Bangladeshi migrant says, "There is a lot of trouble going on here right now, so we are leaving. We cannot find any work, and no one is allowing us to stay... It has been two or three years since we arrived here from Bangladesh. We were… pic.twitter.com/9Ow4jRCcUe
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2026
Amid the ongoing deportation drive, many Bangladeshi nationals have voluntarily decided to return.
Taklima Khatun, a resident of Khulna, said she had entered India illegally two years ago and had been working as a domestic helper. "I don't want to go to a holding centre, so I'm returning home on my own," Jagran.com quoted Khatun as saying.
Similarly, Shahidul Gazi, who works as a mechanic from Satkhira, and Mohammad Ali Sheikh, who works as a hotel worker from Jessore, stated that they had been living and working in Kolkata for years without valid documentation but have decided to return after the government's directive.
Holding Centres Opened In Malda And Murshidabad
According to a report by Jagran.com, two holding centres for illegal immigrants were opened in Malda and Murshidabad on Monday, with 12 suspected Bangladeshi nationals shifted to the facilities on the first day itself.
#WATCH | West Bengal | A holding centre (detention centre) has been opened in Bagbari, Malda, for illegal Bangladeshis. Nine people were arrested at 2 am on Sunday, 24th May. They were arrested from Pandua. (25.05.2026) pic.twitter.com/ykQQIZog8T
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2026
The Chief Minister stated that there is no need to produce illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in court, noting that police can directly hand them over to the Border Security Force (BSF). Under the existing India-Bangladesh agreement, the BSF will verify their identities and facilitate their return.
He further emphasised that the law was already in place, but had been certain elements driven by political interests. "We are implementing the law in the interest of the country and the state," Adhikari said.
According to the BSF officials, the return process is completed by contacting the BGB after questioning, fingerprinting, and photographing the detained individuals.