West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari issued a stern directive to the Commissioner of the Howrah Police Commissionerate, stating that any “illegal immigrant” detained at Howrah station will no longer be produced before a court. Instead, they will be handed over directly to the Border Security Force (BSF) for immediate deportation. The announcement follows the formal implementation of a new central “pushback” policy in West Bengal, which came into effect on Wednesday.
CM Outlines New Protocol After Administrative Meeting
Speaking to the media after chairing a high-level administrative review meeting with top officials and administrative heads in Howrah on Thursday, the Chief Minister outlined the new protocol.
“I have explicitly instructed the Police Commissioner that from now on, if any illegal immigrant is caught at Howrah station, there is no need to present them in court. They will be provided food and sent straight to Bongaon to be handed over to the BSF,” Adhikari stated.
State Police to Hand Over Detainees Directly to BSF
Under the newly enforced guidelines, state police will detain undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants and hand them over directly to the BSF. The central border guarding force will then follow international protocols to deport them through the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Concerns Raised Over Impact on Border Communities
The rapid implementation of the pushback law had triggered concerns regarding potential displacement, particularly within sections of border communities such as the Matua population. Addressing these apprehensions, the Chief Minister clarified that the drive is strictly targeted at undocumented migrants and will not affect refugees seeking asylum under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
CAA-Protected Communities Will Not Face Deportation
The administration clarified the scope of legal protections under the new framework. Persecuted minorities—including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—who arrived in India from Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Afghanistan will not face harassment or deportation. Members of these specified communities who entered India before December 31, 2024, are protected under the CAA framework.
Government Says Only Undocumented Migrants Will Be Targeted
The Chief Minister emphasized that police have been strictly instructed not to detain or harass individuals falling under protected categories, as they are eligible for Indian citizenship through the legal process.
According to the new policy, individuals who do not qualify for protection under the CAA and lack valid legal documentation will be classified as undocumented immigrants and subjected to immediate BSF handover and subsequent deportation.
