Overview
- At Hakimpur near the Zero Line, large groups have gathered to return to Bangladesh, with local reports citing over 500 people and BSF cautioning that figures are lower but firmly in the three-digit range.
- BSF’s 143rd Battalion has intercepted groups along riverine, porous stretches in North 24 Parganas and Malda and is holding them for verification.
- Many detainees say they entered India illegally years ago to work in Kolkata’s suburbs and most lack passports, visas or other valid travel papers.
- BSF and migrants link the surge to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which has heightened anxiety, with some confusing it with an NRC-style exercise.
- After fingerprinting and photographs, BSF coordinates pushbacks with Border Guard Bangladesh and hands any suspects with criminal or terror flags to state police, while local residents provide food, water and temporary shelter.