FROM PAGE 12

several days. These comments must be seen in the context of the core issue of the repatriation of illegal Bangladeshis from India. This obviously requires cooperation from Bangladesh. Over 2,860 cases of nationality verification are pending with Bangladesh, and several of them have been pending for over five years...

“We expect Bangladesh to expedite nationality verification so that the repatriation of illegal immigrants can take place smoothly,” he said.

The MEA spokesperson added the repatriation of “illegal Bangladeshis” would require cooperation from Dhaka.

The issue of alleged infiltration by Bangladeshis was among the BJP’s key poll planks in West Bengal.

The saffron party had vowed to stop so-called infiltration by ensuring fencing along the India-Bangladesh border. It had also promised to identify “illegal Bangladeshis” in the state and deport them.

India stepped up its drive against alleged undocumented Bangladeshis last year and sent hundreds towards the Bangladesh border, especially through Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya. Delhi said these were illegal migrants being deported, while Bangladesh raised serious concerns over “push-ins” without proper verification or formal repatriation procedures.