The order, dated May 23, 2026, has been issued by the Home & Hill Affairs Department, Foreigners’ Branch, SAARC VISA Section, from Writers’ Buildings in Kolkata.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari (Image: IANS)
The Suvendu Adhikari-led government in West Bengal has asked all the District Magistrates in the state to establish “Holding Centres” for all the apprehended foreigners and released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation.
The order, dated May 23, 2026, has been issued by the Home & Hill Affairs Department, Foreigners’ Branch, SAARC VISA Section, from Writers’ Buildings in Kolkata.
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It has been sent to the District Magisrate of all the districts in West Bengal and refers to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) communication dated May 2, 2025, which was issued by the Foreigners’ Division of the Government of India.
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As per the latest order, the DMs will have to take necessary steps for the establishment of Holding Centres in their respective districts.
“…regarding the procedure to be followed for deportation of Bangladeshi/Rohingyas apprehended for staying illegally in this country. In this connection it is requested to take initiative/appropriate action for setting up of Holding Centres in the district for apprehended foreigners as well as for the released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation/repatriation in accordance with the MHA guideline under reference,” read the directive.
The Home and Hill Affairs Department of West Bengal wrote a letter to the District Magistrate of all districts on the setting up of holding centres for apprehended foreigners, as well as for the released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation/repatriation.
The letter reads:… pic.twitter.com/TFf53jOyLU
— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2026
These centres will house all the foreign nationals, who were apprehended for allegedly staying illegally in India. Also, it will have released foreign prisoners currently awaiting deportation or repatriation.
Notably, the state government’s order specifically mentions deportation procedures related to illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, who are staying in India. It highlights that the move is in line with the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
A few days ago, Adhikari asked the police department and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) authorities to directly send arrested illegal infiltrators from other countries to the nearest Border Security Force (BSF) border outposts rather than producing them before courts.
On Thursday, Adhikari held a meeting with police and RPF authorities. He directed officials to send arrested illegal infiltrators to the nearest BSF Border Outposts (BoPs) instead of presenting them before courts.
“Henceforth, if any illegal infiltrator is arrested either at Howrah station or anywhere else, they will not be produced before the court. Instead, they will be provided food and sent directly to the BSF BoPs either at the Benapole-Petrapole border outpost in Bangaon subdivision or at the one in Basirhat, both in North 24 Parganas district,” Adhikari said.
However, it has been clarified that this would not apply to the individuals coming as refugees as well as those eligible for citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
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