West Bengal Directs Districts to Establish Holding Centres for Apprehended Illegal Foreigners and Released Foreign Prisoners

The West Bengal government has ordered all district magistrates to establish holding centres for apprehended illegal foreigners and released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation. This follows the new BJP government's "detect, delete, deport" policy targeting alleged illegal Bangladeshi migrants and Rohingyas. The previous Trinamool Congress government had opposed such measures. Human rights groups have criticized these detention practices, warning of wrongful targeting of Bengali-speaking Muslims and Rohingyas, poor conditions, and violations of constitutional protections under Article 21.