Hakimpur Sees Fresh Influx of Returnees Under New Deport Policy

West Bengal’s border with Bangladesh witnessed another busy morning as over 100 illegal immigrants converged at the Hakimpur check post in North 24 Parganas, ready to head back to their country. The movement follows the state’s decision to implement a structured “Detect, Delete and Deport” mechanism across all districts. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had recently instructed local administrations to locate and hand over undocumented Bangladeshi nationals to police, after which the BSF would facilitate their return. The Tuesday gathering at Bithari Hakimpur Gram Panchayat reflected the immediate effect of that directive. The new holding centers, now being set up in every district, will temporarily accommodate suspected foreign nationals for up to 30 days. During this window, officials will gather biometric information, verify documents, and upload details to a centralized portal before any repatriation takes place. Those who arrived at Hakimpur included men and women who had been living in different parts of the state without legal status. Their voluntary appearance at the border point suggests growing awareness that continued stay could lead to detention and formal deportation proceedings under the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025. Security forces maintained a visible presence to manage the crowd and coordinate with their Bangladeshi counterparts. The process is designed to be orderly, ensuring that each individual’s nationality is confirmed before crossing is permitted. State government sources say the policy is consistent with central guidelines on managing illegal migration and refugee inflows. The centers are described as interim arrangements that allow thorough verification without prolonged incarceration. With enforcement continuing, officials expect the number of people approaching the border to increase. The scene at Hakimpur is seen as part of a broader pattern of voluntary returns that the administration hopes will ease pressure on local resources and strengthen border management.