West Bengal's chief minister Suvendu Adhikari-led government has moved forward with its election promise to 'detect, delete and deport' illegal foreigners, directing district magistrates to set up 'holding centres' for those taken into custody.
The move bears similarities to US President Donald Trump's election campaign pledge to deport millions of people, with the BJP making illegal infiltration a key campaign issue during the recent assembly elections.
The directive issued by the foreigners' branch under the state's home and hill affairs department asked district magistrates to build facilities to accommodate 'apprehended foreigners' and 'released foreign prisoners' until deportation is completed.
The proposed facilities would serve as temporary centres for people detained over suspected illegal stay and for foreign nationals whose deportation procedures are being processed, officials said.
The final decision on citizenship status would rest with district magistrates or officers of a similar rank.
The Bengal BJP government's proposal for 'holding centres' has similarities to Trump's effort to establish 'immigrant detention centres', with both approaches facing criticism over aggressive actions and long detention periods.
