A growing number of Bangladeshis have begun gathering near the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal after Indian authorities intensified administrative measures against undocumented migrants, creating fresh concerns over detention, deportation and human rights protections.
Since Tuesday morning, hundreds of people carrying luggage, accompanied by women and children, have been seen waiting near the Hakimpur border checkpoint in Swarupnagar, in North 24 Parganas district, hoping to return to Bangladesh. Local administrative sources said many of them had been living in India for years without valid documents and decided to leave after recent enforcement measures triggered fear among undocumented migrants.
Witnesses described scenes of people sitting on plastic sheets near the border while others stood in long queues waiting for permission to cross. Similar scenes had reportedly been observed a day earlier as well.
According to Indian media reports and administrative sources, the West Bengal government has begun establishing “holding centers” in every district to detain suspected undocumented Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. Under the new guidelines, detainees may be held for up to 30 days while authorities verify their identities and citizenship status. If necessary, they could later be handed over to India’s Border Security Force (BSF) for deportation procedures.
Several holding centers have already become operational in districts including Malda and Murshidabad. Administrative data cited by Indian media showed that nine people — including three women and six minors — were being held at a facility in Chandan Park in Malda’s English Bazar area. Additional detainees were reportedly transferred to another center in Lalbagh, Murshidabad.
Many of those waiting near the border acknowledged to Indian reporters that they had entered India illegally through brokers in search of work opportunities. Some said they had been employed in shops, construction sites or domestic work in Kolkata and nearby areas including New Town, Dum Dum and Dankuni. However, after news of the holding centers spread, many decided to return to Bangladesh immediately.
One man standing in line at the border told Indian media, “The government does not want us to stay anymore. What can we do? They want us to return to our country.”
Observers say political rhetoric surrounding undocumented migration has also contributed to the growing panic. During campaign events related to the West Bengal Assembly elections, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah pledged to “detect, delete and deport” undocumented migrants.
On Wednesday, Suvendu Adhikari commented publicly on the growing crowds at the border and defended the state’s position on undocumented migrants.
Speaking at an administrative meeting in Kalyani, Adhikari said he had seen television footage from Hakimpur and urged undocumented migrants to leave quickly.
“I saw the Hakimpur situation on television. I will say only one thing — leave quickly, leave quickly,” he said.
He also questioned why state resources should be spent on undocumented migrants.
“Why should we share our food, clothing and shelter with them?” Adhikari said. “We have instructed the police not to send them to jail because the law does not require that. Police will directly hand them over to the BSF. Why should they eat at taxpayers’ expense, receive medicine and clothing?”
Last Sunday, Adhikari announced that the state would establish holding centers for undocumented Bangladeshis and Rohingyas residing illegally in West Bengal. By Monday, such centers had reportedly become operational across multiple districts, and at least 12 Bangladeshis had already been detained. Local observers say the announcement triggered fresh panic among undocumented migrants, many of whom began heading toward the border soon afterward.
Analysts say the latest measures in West Bengal are part of a broader policy framework introduced last year by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, which directed states to identify and deport undocumented foreign nationals. Similar operations were previously conducted in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi and Odisha.
Human rights groups and civil society organizations, however, have expressed concern about the impact of such operations. During earlier crackdowns in other Indian states, many Bengali-speaking Muslim migrant workers were reportedly detained on suspicion of being Bangladeshis before later being confirmed as Indian citizens.
Rights advocates have warned that language and religious identity were often used as grounds for suspicion during previous detention campaigns, raising concerns about profiling and due process.
The West Bengal government’s guidelines for holding centers reportedly include separate facilities for men and women, sanitation arrangements, food, medical services, electricity, CCTV surveillance, and deployment of police and civil defense personnel.
Under India’s existing legal framework, foreign nationals accused of entering or staying in the country illegally are typically processed under immigration and foreigner-related laws. However, the latest administrative instructions require state authorities to identify suspected undocumented migrants directly and complete identity verification within 30 days. If verification reports are not received within that timeframe, Foreigners Regional Registration Officers may initiate deportation procedures.
Administrative sources also told Indian media that the BSF has already initiated communication with Bangladeshi authorities regarding individuals currently waiting near the border. Bangladesh has not yet issued a detailed official statement regarding the latest developments.
Analysts say migration, citizenship and border security remain highly sensitive political issues between India and Bangladesh. The latest developments have once again sparked debate over migration management, human rights concerns and the political use of anti-immigration rhetoric in the region.
