Kolkata, Oct 5 — A total of 150 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants who were evicted from J&K have been brought to West Bengal for deportation, sources said on Monday.
Sources confirmed that the illegal immigrants were flown from Srinagar to Bagdogra Airport by an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft.
An official said they had been handed over to officials of the North Bengal Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) for further processing.
They will be housed at a detention centre, and efforts will be made to send them back to Bangladesh through official channels.
The official added that if Bangladesh refuses to accept them, the illegal immigrants will be “pushed back” across the border.
The process is likely to take place on October 7.
“The process takes place in a phased manner along different stretches of the border. The illegal immigrants are taken beyond the border fence and moved close to the zero line. They then cross into Bangladesh on their own,” the official said.
The BSF in West Bengal has handled similar deportations in the past.
Illegal Bangladeshi immigrants apprehended in different parts of the country are often sent to West Bengal for deportation across the international border.
In some cases, Bangladeshi authorities agree to take back their citizens. In other cases, they deny responsibility, officials said.
According to officials, there is a possibility that more illegal immigrants may be shifted from J&K in the coming days.
This could result in more Bangladeshi nationals being brought to West Bengal for deportation.
In the past, illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Karnataka have also been deported through West Bengal.
In 2026 alone, around 4,800 to 5,000 illegal immigrants have reportedly been deported to Bangladesh through West Bengal.
According to data tabled in Parliament by the Ministry of External Affairs, there were 23,653 deportations between 2009 and 2011.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also stated that 28,131 illegal immigrants had been deported up to 2014.
With the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls under way in several states, officials believe there could be more deportations in the coming months.