Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has intensified his campaign against alleged infiltrators in the state, directing officials and BJP legislators to identify illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals and ensure their removal from the state. Over the past week, the Chief Minister held a series of meetings in western Uttar Pradesh, including Saharanpur, Agra and Noida, calling for a robust crackdown.
During his review meeting in Saharanpur last week, Yogi Adityanath stated that Bangladeshis must be sent back to their country and warned that his government would take every necessary step to secure the state. He repeated these remarks in Agra and Noida, urging BJP elected representatives to prioritise the ongoing revision of voter lists under the Special Intensive Revision exercise. He cautioned them against allowing any illegal migrant onto the electoral rolls and asked them to skip weddings and social engagements to focus on the drive.
“My government will set up detention centres and these illegal residents should be sent there. We are committed to identifying Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators and ensuring they do not enjoy benefits meant for our own people,” he said, emphasising security as the foundation for development.
The crackdown has now entered an accelerated phase. Urban local bodies have been instructed to identify suspected foreign nationals working or residing in their jurisdiction. Lists will be submitted to divisional commissioners and Inspectors General for verification and legal action.
In the first phase, commissioners and IGs have been told to set up detention centres in every division. Locations are being scouted in unused government buildings, community centres and police establishments. The model is similar to that used in Delhi where nearly 1,500 illegal foreigners are currently kept in controlled facilities. Those detained will be held until repatriation is completed through coordination with the Border Security Force and authorities in West Bengal and Assam.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued standard operating procedures to guide the establishment and functioning of these centres. District administrations will oversee daily operations and security along with police units. A daily report on the number of identified infiltrators and action taken will be sent to the state Home Department.
Yogi’s letter for citizens
In a letter addressed to the people of Uttar Pradesh this week, the Chief Minister reiterated that state resources belong first to its legitimate residents. Referring to a recent Supreme Court observation that the country cannot lay out a red carpet for infiltrators, he said that such elements will not be accepted at any cost.
He wrote that illegal migrants place an unfair burden on welfare schemes meant for the poor and weaken the state’s social and law and order fabric. The letter urged the public to remain alert and verify the identity of anyone they employ for household or commercial work.
Senior BJP leader Vijay Bahadur Pathak welcomed the initiative and said it reflects the government’s resolve to protect the rights of its citizens. He called it a timely and strong step to curb the threats posed by illegal settlement.
However, officials concede that identification remains one of the most difficult tasks. A joint police and administrative survey in 2019 had indicated the presence of nearly ten lakh suspected infiltrators in Uttar Pradesh. Most attempt to pass themselves off as residents of northeastern states and use Aadhaar cards believed to be forged or illegally obtained. Even after successful deportation, several are reported to slip back through porous border routes. In many cases, Bangladeshi authorities refuse to accept individuals claiming they are not their citizens.
Political outcome
Politically, Yogi Adityanath’s aggressive campaign has triggered strong reactions. BJP leaders see it as a decisive stance that strengthens the party’s nationalist plank ahead of crucial elections, particularly in western Uttar Pradesh where demographic concerns are often highlighted. Opposition parties accuse the government of targeting a specific community and using the narrative of infiltration to polarise voters. The issue is expected to become a flashpoint as the political battle intensifies in the coming months.
Fresh verification drives are underway in all districts amid concerns that the number of such migrants may have grown significantly over recent years. Authorities say sustained coordination with central agencies and border states will be crucial to ensure effective detection, detention and deportation.
With the Chief Minister repeatedly raising the matter across different districts and political platforms, the state has launched one of its most extensive operations yet against illegal infiltration. The coming months are expected to see increased action at both administrative and political levels as the Yogi government moves to align internal security with its wider development narrative.
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