A fresh administrative push on illegal immigration has prompted several undocumented migrants in West Bengal to head towards the Bangladesh border amid uncertainty over their future.
Undocumented Bangladeshi nationals, including women and children, wait with their belongings near the Hakimpur checkpost in North 24 Parganas on Friday amid growing concerns over detention and deportation. (Photo: ANI)
Anxiety over possible detention and deportation appeared to trigger an unusual gathering near the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal on Friday, where a large number of undocumented Bangladeshi nationals assembled at the Hakimpur checkpost in North 24 Parganas.
The development comes days after the newly formed BJP-led government in West Bengal began implementing its stated “detect, delete and deport” policy and as district authorities move to operationalise holding centres for foreigners found staying illegally in the country.
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Many of those present claimed they had been living in different parts of the state for years and were now choosing to leave voluntarily, fearing legal consequences under the new administrative framework.
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Among them was a man who said he had crossed over from Bangladesh a year ago in search of work after being assured by a friend that employment opportunities were available in India.
Another immigrant, Abdul, said he had been residing in West Bengal since 2017 despite lacking valid Indian documents. According to him, concerns over possible imprisonment and financial penalties had forced many undocumented migrants to reconsider staying in the country.
Abdul claimed that he survived with the help of local residents during his initial years in Barasat and later earned a living by driving a rickshaw. He alleged that local political workers were aware of the presence of undocumented migrants in the area but that no action had been taken earlier.
He also contrasted the present situation with the period when former chief minister Mamata Banerjee was in office, saying he had not faced difficulties during those years and was now returning to Bangladesh because of uncertainty surrounding his future.
Among those waiting to return was Sumaiya Khatun, who was travelling with her two-year-old daughter.
Khatun said she had entered India two years ago with the help of a broker after developing a relationship with a man she met on Facebook. She claimed they later married at a temple in Madhyamgram.
According to her, the broker charged Rs 15,000 to facilitate her journey across the border. She said attempts to obtain documents after marriage were unsuccessful and that recent developments had left her with little choice but to return to Bangladesh.
Khatun alleged that her husband had asked her to leave and said she now planned to reunite with her family waiting across the border.
The movement of undocumented migrants towards the border follows a recent directive issued by the West Bengal government’s Home and Hill Affairs Department.
Under the order issued on May 23, district magistrates have been instructed to establish holding centres for apprehended foreigners and foreign prisoners who have completed their sentences but remain in India pending deportation or repatriation.
The communication directs district administrations to act in accordance with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the deportation and repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas found to be residing illegally in the country.
Officials have been asked to make arrangements for housing such individuals until the deportation process is completed.
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