'Detect, Delete, Deport': Bengal Begins 'Pushback' Drive; Targets Illegal Infiltrators For Deportation

Kolkata: After the change of power in West Bengal, the BJP government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced the immediate initiation of deportation proceedings against illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators  under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). 

What did Suvendu say in the BSF meeting?

Following a high-profile meeting with top Border Security Force (BSF) officials at state secretariat, Nabanna on Wednesday, the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the immediate implementation of a "pushback" law in the state. 

During a land handover ceremony to the BSF for border fencing, Suvendu said that  infiltrators identified in West Bengal would now be directly handed over to the BSF for further action in coordination with the Border Guards Bangladesh.

Howrah, West Bengal: CM Suvendu Adhikari says, "Our state has 1,600 kilometers of fencing in 2,200 kilometers. For approximately 600 kilometers of fencing, we could not complete the fences at our border. There are 565 kilometers of fencing where the state government could have… pic.twitter.com/Aanu3oKY9y

— IANS (@ians_india) May 20, 2026

Did Suvendu attack the last government in the state?

While describing the policy as "Detect, Delete and Deport", the West Bengal Chief Minister said that the Union Home Ministry had issued guidelines on May 14 last year directing states to identify and transfer illegal infiltrators to the BSF. 

Suvendu, while targeting the previous state government said that Trinamool Congress government had failed to implement those directions.

"A letter was sent by the Centre to the state on May 14 last year regarding the direct handover of infiltrators to the BSF, but the previous government failed to implement this important provision. We have now enforced it," the chief minister said at the state secretariat Nabanna.

"On one hand, the previous government opposed the CAA, and on the other, it did not use this important provision. Today we are implementing it," Adhikari said.

In the meeting, Suvendu also said that no action would be taken against members of the seven communities protected under the CAA, provided they had entered India before December 31, 2024.

Howrah, West Bengal: CM Suvendu Adhikari says, "Today, we have started the law work...There are seven communities in the CAA, or those who follow religion, will come under the Citizenship Amendment Act, and those who have come till 31 December 2024, The police will not be able to… pic.twitter.com/4MlfLfEXrK

— IANS (@ians_india) May 20, 2026

Illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators have been involved in all the major crimes related to love jihad, forced conversions, and women's safety that have occurred in recent times.