Bengal's 'detect, delete, deport' policy: 335 illegal immigrants detained; 11 holding centres set up

NEW DELHI: The West Bengal government has so far set up 11 holding centres in the state as part of its "detect, delete and deport" policy for illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. A total of 335 detainees are being held in the facilities, officials told news agnecy PTI on Friday.Basirhat in the North 24 Parganas district which borders Bangladesh, accounts for the largest number of detainees."A total of 335 people are currently being housed in these holding centres across the state. Of them, 148 are men, 99 are women, and 88 are children," an official told PTI."Till now, 11 holding centres have been opened in different parts of the state. Some of these are functioning under police districts, while others are operating at the district level," another official told PTI.The 8 facilities are in: Baruipur, Sundarban, Basirhat, Bongaon, Barasat, Murshidabad, Jangipur, Krishnanagar police districts, while three are in Malda, Cooch Behar and Dakshin Dinajpur districts.West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari had earlier made it clear that his government would not soften its stance on illegal immigrants residing in the state, including suspected Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas. Referring to the administration’s crackdown, he warned: “Jaldi jaldi bhago nahi toh jo karna hai sarkar karega.”The Bengal government has since begun setting up “holding centres” across districts to house undocumented foreigners awaiting deportation or repatriation. The move follows a May 23 directive issued to all 23 district magistrates in accordance with Union home ministry guidelines.Officials said each district will eventually have one such facility, where detainees can be kept for up to 30 days while their nationality is verified and deportation procedures are completed. Holding centres are already operational in Murshidabad and Malda, with more planned across the state.