At least 386 undocumented immigrants held across West Bengal have been sent to 13 holding centres before they are deported to Bangladesh, officials said. The highest number of undocumented immigrants (around 335) is being held at three centres in Basirhat, including 109 women and 95 children.
The new Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal announced this week that the state has set up holding centres in all districts where undocumented immigrants will be kept before deportation in line with an electoral promise.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari warned undocumented immigrants to leave at the earliest, or the government would do what needs to be done. Government buildings, including cyclone shelters, motels, and community halls, have been earmarked as holding centres.
The undocumented immigrants are being kept there under tight security. West Bengal shares the longest stretch of the India-Bangladesh border, with around 600 km remaining unfenced, leaving it porous and prone to trafficking, smuggling, etc.
