Kolkata, 21 May (H.S.): The West Bengal government has initiated the process of identifying and deporting illegal immigrants in accordance with guidelines issued earlier by the Union government. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced from Nabanna that the state would implement the Centre’s “Detect, Delete and Deport” policy against illegal infiltrators.

Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said that individuals not covered under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would be identified and arrested before being handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) for deportation to their respective countries.

According to the Union Home Ministry’s directives, illegal immigrants are defined as foreign nationals who entered India without valid passports or travel documents, as well as those who entered legally but overstayed beyond the permitted duration of their visas or permits.

The guidelines empower state governments and Union Territory administrations to identify, monitor and deport such individuals. Since the Centre does not maintain a separate police force for this purpose, the responsibility has been assigned to state police forces and administrative authorities. Joint Directors of the Bureau of Immigration are also authorised to exercise these powers.

------

Immediate Pushback at Borders

The guidelines state that Bangladeshi nationals or Rohingyas apprehended while illegally crossing land or water borders should be pushed back immediately. However, before deportation, authorities must collect biometric details, including fingerprints and facial photographs, along with demographic information.

All data must be uploaded to the Foreigners Identification Portal maintained by the Union Home Ministry. In areas with poor internet connectivity, information can initially be collected offline and uploaded later.

The BSF and coastal security agencies will maintain detailed records of all deportations and are required to submit monthly reports to the Union Home Ministry.

If a person is found to have crossed the border unintentionally and is deemed innocent after questioning, border forces may hand them back to authorities in Bangladesh or Myanmar after recording biometric data. However, if any suspicious activity is detected, the individual will be handed over to the respective state police for legal proceedings.

------

Holding Centres and Verification Process

The guidelines also direct every state to establish district-level Special Task Forces to identify and deport illegal immigrants. Additionally, all districts must create “Holding Centres” where suspected illegal immigrants can be detained and questioned.

If a detainee claims to be an Indian citizen, authorities must complete verification within 30 days. During this period, the person will remain in the holding centre. If investigations confirm that the individual is a Bangladeshi national or Rohingya immigrant, biometric details will be uploaded to the central database before the person is formally transferred to the BSF or Assam Rifles for deportation.

The guidelines further specify that deported individuals will be blacklisted to prevent future issuance of Indian identity documents. Relevant information will also be shared with agencies such as the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the Election Commission and the Ministry of External Affairs.

------

State to Bear Initial Costs

The Centre has clarified that state governments will initially bear expenses related to detention and deportation procedures, although reimbursement may later be provided by the Union government. However, the entire cost of establishing and maintaining holding centres will have to be borne by the respective states.

The Union Home Ministry has also advised states to avoid unnecessary publicity surrounding deportation operations and instructed them to share detailed information about detained individuals with the Ministry of External Affairs for verification through the embassies of Bangladesh or Myanmar.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh