The West Bengal government has directed all district magistrates to set up 'holding centres' for apprehended foreigners and released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation, officials said.
A notification issued by the Home and Hill Affairs Department on Saturday referred to guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the deportation process for Bangladeshis and Rohingyas found to be staying illegally in the country.
The communication, sent to all district magistrates in the state, referred to an MHA letter dated May 2, 2025, dealing with the procedure to be followed for the deportation of 'Bangladeshis/Rohingyas apprehended for staying illegally in this country'.
The move is aimed at streamlining the process of detention and repatriation in accordance with central guidelines, a senior state government official said.
The districts have been asked to create the required infrastructure so that foreigners awaiting deportation can be housed in a regulated manner till the legal formalities are completed.
