‘No option left’: Illegal Bangladeshi immigrants gather at Bengal border seeking return after BJP govt crackdown

Crowds were reportedly seen near border points in North 24 Parganas and Malda as authorities intensified action against undocumented migrants.

The development comes days after the administration led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered the setting up of holding centres where illegal immigrants would be kept before being handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) for deportation procedures.

One person at the border reportedly told local media, “I had come here for work. But now I have no option except returning.”

Adhikari defended the government’s policy, saying the administration has adopted a “zero-tolerance” approach toward illegal immigration.

“The law already existed, but the previous government did not enforce it because of vote-bank politics,” the Chief Minister said.

Explaining the decision to establish holding centres, he added, “We favour swift deportation after due verification instead of prolonged detention.”

Officials said the centres would function as temporary transit facilities while authorities verify documents and determine nationality status.

The move comes after the BJP, during its election campaign in West Bengal, promised action against illegal immigrants through a “detect, delete and deport” policy.

Illegal immigration had remained a major political flashpoint between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), with the previous state administration criticising similar measures proposed by the Centre.