West Bengal, May 29, 2026 – Hundreds of undocumented Bangladeshi migrants have gathered at several India-Bangladesh border points in West Bengal, voluntarily seeking to return home as a new political climate triggers fears of detection and deportation.
Following the BJP’s recent election victory in the state, the incoming government has announced a strict “detect, delete, and deport” policy targeting illegal immigrants. This has been accompanied by a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, which reportedly led to the removal of millions of questionable names. The developments have prompted a rush among undocumented migrants to cross back into Bangladesh before enforcement intensifies.
Returnees Assemble at Border Checkpoints
At key locations such as Hakimpur in North 24 Parganas district, groups ranging from 100 to over 250 individuals have assembled in recent days. Similar movements have been reported in districts like Malda and Murshidabad. The Border Security Force (BSF) is facilitating verified returns after coordinating with Bangladesh’s Border Guards (BGB).
Many of those returning cite fear of sudden detention, loss of livelihood, cancellation of documents, and the shifting political environment. Some have lived in India for years or even decades, while others arrived more recently. Families, daily wage laborers, and long-term residents are among those heading back, often leaving behind children, jobs, or accumulated debts.
How They Crossed: Accounts from Returnees
Interviews with the returning migrants have provided candid details about the methods commonly used to enter India illegally. Most described relying on paid brokers, locally known as “dalals,” who facilitate crossings for fees typically ranging between ₹5,000 and ₹7,000 per person.
Common routes include porous riverine and forested stretches along the border, particularly in areas like Jalangi in Murshidabad district and stretches connecting Kustia in Bangladesh to Murshidabad in India. Migrants reported crossing during unguarded moments, such as BSF shift changes around noon, or by swimming across rivers and navigating dry riverbeds and dense vegetation.
Once inside India, many moved to urban centers and other states for work in sectors such as construction, rickshaw pulling, brick kilns, mechanics, and hospitality in cities including Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Howrah, and even Kerala. Over time, a significant number obtained documents like Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and voter IDs through local middlemen, enabling them to live and work despite their irregular entry status. Some cited natural disasters, such as Cyclone Aila in 2009, as triggers for their initial migration.
Broader Context and Challenges
The current returns highlight long-standing issues with the India-Bangladesh border, which remains porous in several sections despite fencing efforts. Economic opportunities in India continue to act as a strong pull factor, while weak enforcement in certain areas and established smuggling networks have sustained irregular migration for decades.
Estimates of the total number of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India have varied widely over the years, ranging from a few million to as high as 20 million, though such figures remain heavily disputed.
Not all accounts point to a full-scale exodus. Observers note that the gatherings represent a voluntary precautionary movement rather than a forced mass departure. Some circulating videos have also been flagged as older footage or unrelated to the current events.
The situation has already sparked diplomatic conversations, with Bangladesh expressing concerns over potential forced returns. India, on the other hand, maintains its right to secure its borders and remove undocumented foreigners.
As the new state government prepares to implement its policies, the coming weeks are likely to see continued activity at the borders and further scrutiny of immigration records across the country. The developments underscore the complex interplay of security, demography, and livelihood issues along one of the world’s busiest and most sensitive international borders.
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