Amit Shah Advocates Strong Measures Against Illegal Immigration in West Bengal
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced a series of robust measures to combat illegal immigration in West Bengal, including the allocation of land to the Border Security Force and the establishment of detention centers. He emphasized the urgency of enhancing security along the India-Bangladesh border, particularly in the sensitive Chicken Neck corridor. Shah's statements reflect a commitment to identifying and repatriating illegal immigrants, while Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari supports these initiatives by calling for strict enforcement of existing laws. This article delves into the implications of these actions and the government's strategy to address the issue effectively.
| May 28, 2026, 17:55 IST
Central Government's Firm Stance on Border Security
On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah issued a strong statement regarding illegal immigration in West Bengal, indicating that the central government is preparing to take aggressive steps to enhance security along the India-Bangladesh border. While addressing a public gathering in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Shah mentioned that the government led by Suvendu Adhikari has allocated nearly 600 hectares of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) within just seven days to expedite border security and infrastructure development. He emphasized that special attention has been given to the strategically significant "Chicken Neck" corridor, where approximately 121 hectares of land has been transferred to strengthen surveillance and national security measures.
Impact of Enhanced Surveillance on Illegal Immigrants
Shah asserted that this swift action has begun to exert pressure on illegal immigrants, with reports suggesting that many are now voluntarily returning due to increased monitoring and enforcement. He also highlighted the establishment of detention centers across the state to more effectively address illegal immigration issues. Furthermore, he expressed optimism that the long-pending fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border would soon resume, aiming to close off unsafe routes for infiltration. Reinforcing the central government's firm stance, Amit Shah declared that every illegal immigrant would be identified and repatriated.
Chief Minister Adhikari's Warning to Illegal Immigrants
On Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that strict action should be taken against alleged Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in the state. He emphasized the need to establish detention centers in every district to address such cases. Referring to the Foreigners Act, the Chief Minister noted that this law has been in place for many years and should be properly enforced. He further instructed the police not to keep illegal immigrants in regular jails, arguing that doing so would unnecessarily burden the country's resources. Instead, he suggested that these individuals should be sent back to Bangladesh, with the responsibility of repatriation resting on the neighboring country.