A major crackdown on illegal immigration in West Bengal has led to panic among suspected undocumented migrants, with large crowds gathering near the Bangladesh border in North 24 Parganas. The situation intensified after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari issued a strong warning asking infiltrators to leave the country before the government begins strict action under existing legal provisions.

Speaking after a meeting in Kalyani, Adhikari delivered a direct message to those staying illegally in the state. He said, "Jaldi jaldi bhago nahi toh jo karna hai sarkar karega (Run as quickly as possible or govt will do what it needs to)." His statement came amid the state government’s ongoing “detect-delete-deport” drive aimed at identifying and removing undocumented immigrants from West Bengal.

Soon after the warning, hundreds of people without proper residency documents reportedly reached the Bithari-Hakimpur border area in North 24 Parganas on Tuesday. Many of them were trying to cross over into Bangladesh, fearing action by the authorities. The crowd included men, women and children who had gathered near the border hoping to return before the crackdown became stricter.

Adhikari clarified that the process was not linked to any newly introduced law. He stressed that the government was only implementing already existing legal provisions under the Foreigners’ Act. “This is not a new law, but the already existing Foreigners’ Act. They should leave this place immediately," he said.

The Chief Minister also stated that Bangladesh had agreed to take back its citizens who were residing illegally in India. “Bangladesh has already said that it is ready to accept its citizens back from our country," he stated. He further added that he had instructed police officials not to send alleged infiltrators to jail. Explaining his stand, he remarked, “Why should we host them? Why should we waste India’s resources? Are these infiltrators our sons-in-law?”

He warned that those who failed to leave voluntarily would face strict government action in the coming days. “Leave from here quickly, otherwise the government will take strict action,” he said.

The scenes at the border on Tuesday reflected growing fear among undocumented migrants after the state intensified its operations against illegal immigration. Several reports claimed that many individuals gathered near the Hakimpur border in Swarupnagar to return to Bangladesh before being formally identified and detained by authorities.

Border Security Force personnel were seen managing the crowd and detaining people for processing before handing them over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Officials said proper procedures were being followed before any transfer across the border took place.

The latest developments have drawn comparisons with similar scenes witnessed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process earlier. The fresh rush at the border came just a day after the West Bengal government opened its first two “holding centres” for undocumented immigrants in Malda and Murshidabad districts.

According to officials, these holding centres have been created to temporarily house individuals identified as illegal immigrants before deportation procedures are completed. The move is part of the larger “detect-delete-deport” policy being implemented by the state government.

An official communication issued by the Home and Hill Affairs Department on May 23 instructed district administrations to make arrangements for housing those found to be staying illegally in India. The directive also mentioned individuals who had already completed prison sentences but were still awaiting deportation.

Authorities have been directed to follow the framework laid down by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding deportation and repatriation procedures involving Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas residing illegally in the country.

Meanwhile, many migrants claimed they were leaving because they could no longer find work and were facing pressure due to the ongoing drive. A Bangladeshi migrant who previously worked as a mechanic in Howrah said they were returning because employment opportunities had dried up and they were not being allowed to continue staying in the state after the implementation of the “detect, delete, deport” policy.

The issue of illegal immigration has remained politically sensitive in West Bengal for years due to the state’s long and porous border with Bangladesh. The latest action by the state government has now brought the matter back into sharp focus. While supporters of the drive have argued that illegal infiltration must be dealt with strictly, critics are likely to raise concerns regarding humanitarian issues and the treatment of migrants during the deportation process.

For now, the administration appears determined to continue with the crackdown. With holding centres now operational and district authorities instructed to follow deportation guidelines, more such movements near the border could take place in the coming days as undocumented migrants try to leave before facing official action.