Kolkata, 28 May (H.S.): The West Bengal government has made extensive arrangements for food, accommodation and medical treatment at temporary holding centres set up for illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators. The state administration said the detainees would be provided humanitarian facilities before being handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF).

According to a senior official at Nabanna, under the new state government policy, illegal infiltrators are first being kept at holding centres before being transferred to nearby BSF border outposts, from where they will be sent back to their country.

Last week, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had stated that illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators would not be produced before courts. He instructed police authorities to ensure proper food arrangements for them before handing them over to the BSF.

A temporary holding centre has been established in the Hakimpur border area for the process of deportation. Reports suggest that a large number of infiltrators have been arriving there since Tuesday night. The administration has arranged food and primary medical treatment at the facility.

Officials said many of those being detained had allegedly crossed the border fencing years ago and had been working in Kolkata and several districts of South Bengal. Following the stricter stance adopted by the BJP-led state government, many are now reportedly returning.

The government has arranged multiple facilities inside the holding centres. Several ceiling fans have been installed in every room. Meals reportedly include rice, roti, fish, meat and eggs. Children are being provided milk and baby food four times a day. New clothes, bathing soap and shampoo are also being distributed.

Malda Superintendent of Police Anupam Singh said on Thursday that full arrangements for food and accommodation had been made for the people staying at the holding centres. The district police and civil administration are jointly supervising the facilities. Women from self-help groups have been assigned the responsibility of preparing meals, and food is being served four times daily.

North Bengal’s first holding centre became operational on Monday at Chandan Park in Bagbari near English Bazar in Malda district. The facility has been set up inside a marketing building used by self-help groups.

Security arrangements around the centre have also been tightened. Three police officers, around a dozen police personnel, several civic volunteers and civil defence staff have been deployed in the area. Halogen lights have been installed for night-time illumination, while CCTV cameras have been placed for constant surveillance.

According to the Superintendent of Police, nine people are currently staying at the centre, including three women, six children and one teenager.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey