Forty-eight hours after the Bengal government directed all 23 district magistrates to establish 'holding centres' for illegal foreigners, including Bangladeshis and Rohingya immigrants, two such facilities have been inaugurated in Malda and Murshidabad. Both districts share borders with Bangladesh. The search for similar centres is now underway in other districts across the state.
Detainees Moved to New Centres
On Monday, nine Bangladeshi detainees intercepted in Malda and three in Murshidabad were immediately transferred to these centres. Unlike previous practice, they were not produced in court or formally arrested under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946. Officials stated that they are currently verifying the nationalities of these individuals. Once it is confirmed that they are Bangladeshis who entered India illegally, they will be pushed back within the stipulated 30 days.
Government Order and Guidelines
The state government order issued on May 23 directed district magistrates to take initiative and appropriate action for setting up holding centres for apprehended foreigners and released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation, in accordance with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines. This order follows a Union home ministry guideline from May 2, 2025, which detailed the procedure for deporting Bangladeshis and Rohingya people staying illegally in India. The guideline had remained unimplemented in Bengal for the past year.
Malda Holding Centre Details
In Malda, the holding centre has been established on one floor of the government's training centre for self-help groups at English Bazar. Security has been significantly enhanced with the deployment of 12 policemen, three civil defence workers, and three civic volunteers. CCTV cameras have been installed, and cooks have been engaged for the facility. On Monday, nine suspected Bangladeshi women and minors were brought to this centre. They had been intercepted by police in Pandua under Gazole police station. Sources indicate they crossed the border through Hili without valid documents. The detainees were identified as Rimi Biwi (45), Golapi Biwi (23), Lovely Biwi (18), Md Rohan (12), Md Golap (10), Julekha Khatun (8), Jaheda Khatun (5), Md Jahidul (7), and Gulshana Khatun (5). During interrogation, they reportedly admitted to hailing from Imampur village under Mithapukur police station of Rangpur division in Bangladesh.
Murshidabad Holding Centre Details
In Murshidabad's Lalgola, the second floor of Padma Bhawan, a fisheries department building, has been converted into a holding centre. Three individuals were moved into this facility on Monday. They were apprehended on Saturday afternoon near the border adjacent to Lalgola while attempting to enter using fake Indian passports, forged EPICs, and other documents. Murshidabad district magistrate R Arjun stated, 'Cops tracked the three Bangladeshi nationals. They were sent to the holding centres, and after verification, they will be handed over to the BSF for pushback.'
Search for More Centres Across Bengal
Across Bengal, the search is ongoing to identify additional holding centres. A senior district official in Birbhum said, 'Such a centre will be set up within a couple of days to house foreign nationals as per the government's order. Some sites have already been identified.'
