Jharsuguda: A total of 444 individuals suspected to be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been detained across Jharsuguda district as part of an extensive verification drive ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), senior police officials announced on Tuesday.
Addressing the media, Inspector General of Police (Northern Range), Himanshu Kumar Lal, stated, “444 suspected individuals have been rounded up and detained to find out who among them are illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Verification is underway to determine how these individuals may have entered illegally. Legal action as per law will be taken against those found to be illegal immigrants.”
The operation is being carried out by a Special Task Force (STF) constituted specifically for this purpose. The detained individuals have been kept in two temporary verification centers set up in the Jharsuguda and Brajrajnagar subdivisions.
Providing further details, Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police Parmar Smit Parshottamdas said, “As per the order of the MHA, we had formed a Special Task Force. Accordingly, we have brought suspected persons for verification. A total of 444 have been detained. Their proof of Indian citizenship is being verified, and the process is currently underway.”
Of the 444 detainees, 183 are being held at the Jharsuguda subdivision center and 261 at the Brajrajnagar subdivision center. According to the SP, the individuals were picked up from various police station jurisdictions within the district.
“The verification process is being carried out strictly as per the legal procedure. Investigation is ongoing,” the SP added.
Officials confirmed that appropriate legal measures will be initiated based on the outcomes of the verification process. The drive is part of a wider national effort to identify and act against illegal immigrants residing in India.
