In a sweeping move to tighten internal security, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered all states and union territories to set up Special Task Forces (STFs) in every district to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants within 30 days.
The directive—issued in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives—grants states full authority to carry out the operation in close coordination with central agencies.
As per the MHA’s communication, the STFs must collect all relevant details including name, parentage, permanent address, present address, and information about close relatives of suspected illegal migrants. The letter further states, After due verification, such persons shall be shifted to designated holding centres.
Once an individual is confirmed to be an illegal migrant, authorities are instructed to record their biometric and demographic data and upload it to the Foreigners’ Identification Portal. Following this, deportation procedures must be carried out by the Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles, or the Indian Coast Guard, depending on the region.
The ministry has also mandated, any claim to Indian citizenship must be thoroughly verified within one month, stressing the importance of a time-bound process.
With the countdown ticking, states are expected to mobilise swiftly, as the MHA sets an uncompromising 30-day deadline to complete the crackdown.
