Raj govt sets up 3 newdetention centres forillegal foreign nationals

Jaipur: As Rajasthan intensifies its statewide campaign against Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in the state, the police department is facing an acute shortage of detention centres to hold those arrested until the deportation process begins. To accomodate suspected Bangladeshi nationals detained since Wednesday, the state govt has set up three new detention centres for foreign nationals by converting existing sub-jails.
According to Anand Kumar, additional chief secretary, home department, there was only one detention centre earlier in Alwar. Now, new centres have been made operational in Jhadol in Udaipur, Merta in Nagaur, and Behror. With these new facilities becoming operational on Thursday, the total number of detention centres in the state has increased to four. These centres will hold those identified as foreign nationals, mostly Bangladeshi citizens, after an initial verification of their citizenship status.
A senior police officer said that 21 Bangladeshi nationals were sent to detention by the Dargah police in April in Ajmer alone and about 400 people are currently being quizzed. As many as 70 people are being interrogated by the Dargah police, while Christian Ganj police station has detained nearly 250 individuals whose documents are being verified.
"We were informed that the detention centre in Alwar was overcrowded as more Bangladeshi nationals were being detained. Police superintendents have now been instructed to send detainees to the nearest available centre," Kumar said.
Officials stated that existing sub-jails are being converted into detention centres. The foreign nationals staying illegally will remain in detention until the process of deportation is completed.
A senior police officer explained that once a suspected foreign national is detained, the district special intelligence branch, local police, and the crime investigation dept will work together and verify the person's nationality. Following this, a proposal will be sent to the concerned district collector to shift the person to the detention centre. After getting approval from the home department, the individual will be transferred to a detention centre for a second level verification and to complete deportation formalities.
In the 2025 state budget, deputy chief minister Diya Kumari announced plans to build a new detention centre in Jaipur with a capacity to hold 100 people at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore.
The large-scale operation to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants follows the directive issued by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma during a high-level meeting held on Wednesday. Sharma had asked officials to step up surveillance and take strict action against undocumented Bangladeshi nationals.