WB govt directs districts to set up 'holding centres' for foreigners apprehended over illegal stay

The West Bengal government has directed district magistrates to set up 'holding centres' for apprehended foreigners and released prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation.

The West Bengal government has directed all district magistrates to initiate steps for setting up 'holding centres' for ''apprehended foreigners'' as well as ''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.

''In this connection, it is requested to take initiative/appropriate action for setting up of Holding Centres in the district for apprehended foreigners as well as for the released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation/repatriation,'' it said.

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''.

Copies of the order were also forwarded to the Director General and 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 was aimed at streamlining the process of detention and repatriation in accordance with central guidelines.

''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,'' the official told PTI.

Another senior official added: ''The order is procedural in nature and meant to ensure that district administrations remain prepared to handle such cases as per prescribed norms.''