West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced the implementation of a new mechanism under which illegal infiltrators detained by state police will be directly handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) for deportation. Calling it part of a broader “detect, delete and deport” framework, Adhikari said the policy would target those not protected under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
The announcement was made during a press conference at the state secretariat Nabanna, shortly after the Chief Minister returned from north Bengal. Senior BSF officials were also present during the briefing, signalling what observers described as a stronger policy push on infiltration and border security, long a major political issue in the state.
Adhikari stated that communities covered under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act would remain outside the ambit of the new mechanism, while those identified as illegal infiltrators would face immediate action.
“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,” Adhikari said.
The Chief Minister accused the previous Trinamool Congress government of opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and simultaneously failing to operationalise the mechanism proposed by the Centre.
“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,” he said.
#WATCH | Kolkata | West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari says, “I’m not a man who will bow down… The BJP’s Chief Minister will fulfill the commitments made by the party… The BJP government will keep the country safe… First they (illegal infiltrators) were detected in the voter… pic.twitter.com/cdErC3Q5au
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026
Drawing a distinction between refugees and illegal immigrants, Adhikari referred to the provisions of the CAA and said communities protected under the law would not face detention or deportation.
“Under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the communities covered by it have been named, and those who came to India till December 31, 2024, are protected, and police cannot detain them,” the Chief Minister stated.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act provides protection and a path to citizenship for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who allegedly fled religious persecution from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan before the prescribed cut-off date.
BIG DECISION-
“Infiltrators nabbed by police will be handed over to BSF, previous govt had not implemented this important provision.”
– Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari pic.twitter.com/XdEXbWnc1Q
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) May 20, 2026
Adhikari clarified that individuals not covered under the law would be treated as infiltrators under the new framework.
“The BSF will speak to the BGB and take necessary steps to deport them. This law is being implemented starting today,” he said, referring to coordination between the Border Security Force and Bangladesh Border Guards (BGB).
The announcement marks one of the strongest policy positions taken by the new Bengal government on infiltration and border management. Political observers believe the issue is likely to remain central to the BJP government’s governance and security agenda in the state.
The statement also comes amid renewed political focus on illegal immigration, demographic concerns in border districts, and implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act across Bengal.
