The West Bengal government has directed all district magistrates to initiate steps to set up “detention centres” for “detained foreigners” as well as “released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation”, officials said.
A notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Hill Affairs on Saturday cited the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the process of deportation of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas found to be residing illegally in the country.
“In this regard, appropriate initiative/action is requested to establish detention centers in the region for detained foreigners as well as for released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation/repatriation,” the statement said.
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The communication, which has been sent to all district magistrates in the state, refers to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs’ letter dated May 2, 2025, which deals with the procedure to be followed for deportation of “Bangladeshis/Rohingyas arrested for illegally residing in this country”.
Copies of the order have also been sent to the Director General, Inspector General of Police, all Police Commissionerates, Superintendents of Police and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Kolkata.
A senior state government official said the move is aimed at simplifying the detention and repatriation process as per central guidelines.
“The provinces have been asked to create the required infrastructure so that foreigners awaiting deportation can be accommodated in an orderly manner until the legal formalities are completed,” the official told PTI.
“The order is procedural in nature and is aimed at ensuring that district administrations remain prepared to handle such cases as per the stipulated norms,” another senior official added.
