Gujarat Launches Another Crackdown On Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants, Over 200 Detained In 100 Hours

Surat: In a renewed crackdown on illegal immigration, the Gujarat government has launched its second major operation in just two months to identify and deport Bangladeshis living unlawfully in the state. Within 100 hours, authorities detained over 200 Bangladeshi nationals across multiple districts including Surat and Bharuch.

Officials revealed that many of the detainees had entered India at different times and were residing in rented accommodations, often working in labor-intensive jobs. Some were even found in possession of forged Indian documents. The city of Surat alone accounted for 119 detentions. A joint interrogation of those detained is currently underway, and deportation procedures will follow shortly.

This is not the first such drive. Earlier operations had already led to the deportation of around 200 Bangladeshi nationals. These repeated discoveries raise serious questions about the scale of illegal settlement by foreign nationals in cities across Gujarat.

Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi addressed the press, highlighting the seriousness with which the Gujarat Police are executing the operation. He disclosed that in just 36 hours, Surat City Police detained 119 individuals, Surat Rural Police caught 9, and Bharuch Police arrested 46 undocumented Bangladeshis. “These operations are vital for national security and public order,” Sanghavi said, emphasizing that the state will not tolerate any threats to legal and civic norms.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Raghvendra Vats, provided further details in a press briefing. He stated that several raids were carried out across areas like Chowk, Bhestan, Sachin, and Udhna in Surat, resulting in the detention of Bangladeshis, most of whom were day laborers living in unauthorized housing.

Many of them were found using fake Indian identification documents. Authorities are now investigating who is behind the creation and distribution of these forged papers and uncovering the networks facilitating such illegal activities.

Vats also noted that women were among those detained, and that some detainees may have links to illegal businesses such as human trafficking. “We are conducting thorough background checks to identify any involvement in criminal networks,” he added. All detainees are currently being housed at a shelter facility in Surat, as per the reports. To prevent re-entry, the Gujarat Police are capturing full biometric data of each individual. This information will be shared with national security agencies to flag any future attempts at illegal entry.

In a separate incident in Vadodara, a 43-year-old Bangladeshi woman was arrested by the local SOG unit. She had been living in Gujarat for the past five years after illegally entering India via the West Bengal border. Her suspicious behavior during a routine vehicle check led police to discover her true identity.

The Gujarat government, with full backing from the Home Ministry and law enforcement agencies, has made it clear: no illegal foreign national will be spared. The operation is ongoing and will continue across the state with intensified efforts.

Also Read: Ticket Scam In Surat City And BRTS Buses: Over ₹22,000 In Fines, Conductors And Drivers Blacklisted