Kolkata, May 24 -- West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday directed all district magistrates to set up "holding centres" for apprehended illegal immigrants before their deportation, taking forward the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) electoral promise to "detect, delete and deport" all aliens.

The Foreigners' Branch, SAARC Visa Section, of the state home department headed by Adhikari issued an order that said holding centres should be set up following a May 2025 order from the Union home ministry.

"Enclosed please find the letter under reference regarding the procedure to be followed for deportation of Bangladeshis/Rohingyas apprehended for staying illegally in this country," said the state's order to district magistrates,...