Illegal Immigration / Six Bangladeshi Nationals Identified in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, To Be Repatriated Soon

Bhubaneswar, Aug 5: As many as six Bangladeshi nationals have been identified in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar as part of Odisha’s intensified drive against illegal infiltration. The individuals were housed at Athagarh, with the Border Security Force (BSF) coordinating their repatriation, officials said on Wednesday.

 Police Commissioner Suresh Debdutta Singh said that the identification process, initiated last year, continues to trace infiltrators across the state.

In 2025, 42 Bangladeshi nationals were deported via a special train, marking the beginning of a systematic effort to detect and repatriate foreign nationals residing illegally in Odisha. With the latest identification, six more individuals are expected to be sent back to Bangladesh shortly.

Broader Deportation Figures

Earlier, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the State Assembly that Odisha has deported 73 Bangladeshi nationals between May 2025 and February 2026, following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs to intensify verification drives.

Authorities scrutinized the documents of 2,261 suspected individuals during this period. Of them, 2,184 were confirmed Indian citizens and released, while 77 were identified as Bangladeshi infiltrators. Deportation proceedings have been completed for 73, while two remain in jail for possessing fraudulent Indian passports, and two others await repatriation.

The deportation figures reflect a wide geographical spread across Odisha. In Bhubaneswar, 26 Bangladeshi nationals were deported, while Cuttack accounted for 15. Berhampur saw six deportations, Jagatsinghpur recorded the highest with 21, and Kandhamal reported four. Together, these numbers highlight the scale of the identification drive undertaken by the state authorities, reinforcing Odisha’s intensified efforts to curb illegal infiltration in line with Union government directives.
Also Read: Odisha Police Intensify Crackdown on Suspected Bangladeshi Infiltrators

Last year, 444 suspected Bangladeshi nationals were detained in Jharsuguda, most of them construction workers from West Bengal, highlighting the scale of the issue.

Significance

The deportations underscore Odisha’s firm stance on infiltration and India’s broader focus on border security. While the state continues to act against illegal migration, concerns remain over the treatment of genuine citizens during verification drives, making the issue both a security and humanitarian challenge.