Nearly 400 Alleged Bangladeshi Illegal Migrants Detained in West Bengal

Authorities in the Indian state of West Bengal have detained nearly 400 alleged undocumented Bangladeshi nationals during the first seven days after the launch of special holding centers, according to state administration officials. The process of repatriating those detained to Bangladesh is also reportedly moving forward.

The information was reported on Sunday by Indian media outlet The Indian Express.

According to administrative sources, the highest number of detainees was recorded in the Basirhat Police District of North 24 Parganas, where 335 people have been taken into custody. They are currently being housed at temporary holding facilities established in Tetulghati, Patharshanti, Charghat, and Subhashnagar, which previously served as flood relief centers.

Additional detainees have been placed in holding centers across several other districts, including Malda, Murshidabad, South Dinajpur, Baruipur, Barasat, Cooch Behar, Jangipur, Krishnanagar, and Bongaon.

State authorities said security measures at the holding centers have been strengthened. Special instructions have been issued to district administrations to expedite detention and repatriation procedures. Continuous surveillance is being maintained at each facility, with additional police personnel deployed to ensure security.

Among those detained are four Bangladeshi workers who had been employed in the Indian state of Kerala. According to reports, they were detained on May 26 at the Hakimpur border outpost and later transferred to a holding center in North 24 Parganas.

One of the detained individuals, Motleb Hossain, told reporters by phone that authorities had collected their biometric information, including fingerprints, and conducted extensive questioning.

He said border security officials asked detailed questions regarding how they entered India, where they had worked, and where they had been residing. According to Hossain, they cooperated fully and answered all inquiries.

Local sources said the ongoing operation has created tension in several border areas, as authorities continue efforts to identify and detain individuals suspected of residing in India without legal documentation.

The Indian authorities have not yet released an official timeline for the completion of the repatriation process.