Verification Underway at Two Holding Centers; Task Force Formed for Identification Drive

Jharsuguda : In a major crackdown on suspected illegal immigrants, the Jharsuguda district police have detained 444 individuals under suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals. The large-scale operation, led by Superintendent of Police Smit Parmar, is part of a district-wide initiative to identify and deport illegal residents, including Rohingyas and undocumented Bangladeshis.

According to Western Range IG Himanshu Lal, the detained individuals are currently undergoing verification of their residential documents and citizenship. The operation began last night following the formation of a dedicated task force that launched coordinated raids across various police station jurisdictions in the district.

The detainees have been temporarily shifted to two holding centers for intensive screening:

Black Diamond College of Engineering & Technology, Jharsuguda (for Jharsuguda sub-division), and Surabhi Kalyan Mandap, Hill Top, Brajrajnagar (for Brajrajnagar sub-division).

Police have stated that those found to have entered India illegally will face strict legal action and will be deported to their respective countries. The identification process is still ongoing, and authorities have assured that all procedures are being carried out in line with legal and humanitarian standards.

The district administration has reiterated its commitment to identifying illegal immigrants and maintaining internal security, especially in the wake of rising concerns over undocumented foreign nationals residing in sensitive regions.

This is one of the largest such actions in western Odisha in recent times, marking a significant escalation in the state’s efforts to regulate cross-border migration and undocumented settlements.