29 May,2026 03:00 PM IST | West Bengal | mid-day online correspondent
Visuals from the spot in West Bengal`s Basirhat showed many with their belongings packed in bags and suitcases. PIC/X
The Border Security Force (BSF) is set to hand over 100 Bangladeshi nationals to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the Hakimpur border check post after completing necessary document verification, news agency IANS reported.
According to officials, more than 100 Bangladeshi nationals had gathered near the border area in recent days. The BSF has made arrangements to push them back into Bangladesh following due procedure.
In a related development, one of the Bangladeshi nationals, who claimed to have entered India five years ago, told reporters, "We came five years ago. Now we cannot stay here anymore. Everyone is being pushed out. Everyone is leaving."
Visuals from the spot showed groups of men, women and children, many with their belongings packed in bags and suitcases, waiting at the border area. The scenes captured families sitting with their luggage in makeshift shelters, reflecting the distress among those facing deportation.
This action by the BSF comes amid heightened security measures along the India-Bangladesh border. The force has been carrying out sustained operations to identify and deport illegal immigrants staying in the border districts of West Bengal.
The handover at Hakimpur is expected to take place soon after all verification formalities are completed by both sides.
The West Bengal administration has made elaborate arrangements for proper lodging, hygienic and nutritious food, and proper treatment facilities at 'holding centres' set up in the state for providing temporary accommodation to illegal infiltrators before they are handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) at its nearest border outposts (BOPs), from where they will be sent back to their own countries, news agency IANS reported.
A senior official from the state secretariat Nabanna said that although putting illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators in holding centres is part of the new state government's announced policy, the administration, at the same time, wants to give a message to society that there will be no adverse treatment against these infiltrators before being sent back to their country.
Giving a fair farewell treatment to the illegal infiltrators was hinted at by the new and the ninth West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari last week, while he announced the decision of handing over the Bangladeshi infiltrators to the BSF instead of producing them at courts and subsequently putting them behind bars.
"I have instructed the police not to produce these illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators in court. Instead, they will be fed properly and then handed over to the BSF units deployed at the nearest BOPs," CM Adhikari said last week.
A temporary holding centre has been set up at the Hakimpur border to send Bangladeshi infiltrators back to their country. There has been a huge influx of infiltrators there since Tuesday night. The administration has made arrangements for food as well as first aid for the infiltrators. Many of them had come to India many years ago by crossing the barbed wire. These Bangladeshi infiltrators were working in many areas of south Bengal, including Kolkata.
As a result of the state BJP government taking a tough stance on the infiltrator issue, most of them have started returning to their country. The state government meanwhile made various arrangements in such holding centres. There are multiple ceiling fans in each room. The menu includes fish, meat and eggs along with rice, local wheat bread. The children are given milk four times a day along with baby food. They are also given new clothes, perfumed soap for bathing and shampoo. Even though they are infiltrators, they are not deprived of amenities before being pushed back into Bangladesh.
On Wednesday, Malda Superintendent of Police, Anupam Singh, told media persons, "All arrangements have been made for accommodation and for food for those staying in the holding centres. The district police administration and civil administration have made arrangements for good food. Women from Self-Help Groups are employed for cooking. Food is being provided four times a day."
The first holding centre in north Bengal was opened from Monday at Chandan Park in Bagbari, adjacent to the English Bazaar town of Malda district. It is housed in a building of the Self-Help Group's marketing centre. There are three police officers, a dozen police personnel and several civic volunteers around. Civil defence personnel are also staying there. Halogen lights and CCTV cameras have been installed. The area is well-illuminated all night with halogen lights.
The Superintendent of Police said that no new Bangladeshi infiltrators have been brought to the centre. Currently, there are nine including three women, six children and a boy.
(With IANS inputs)
