Movement surges at Hakimpur Border after crackdown on Illegal immigrants in Bengal

A noticeable rise in movement has been reported at the Hakimpur border checkpost in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district following intensified measures against illegal immigration in the state.

According to officials, around 100 to 200 people have gathered at the Hakimpur checkpost since Monday, amid increased monitoring and enforcement actions along the India-Bangladesh border.

Hakimpur, located about 35 km from Basirhat, is considered a porous stretch where cross-border movement has been historically active. Officials said that the area has witnessed fluctuations in movement patterns depending on administrative and security actions in the region.

Sources indicated that during earlier phases of special voter roll revision exercises, many undocumented migrants reportedly returned to Bangladesh through the same route. However, the activity had slowed down during the election period before picking up again recently.

Local accounts suggest that several individuals who had entered India years ago had been working in low-wage jobs in areas around Kolkata and nearby districts.

Amid the renewed movement, political leaders have reiterated demands for stricter enforcement and the establishment of holding centres for handling identified illegal immigrants. Authorities have also highlighted ongoing fencing and border management efforts aimed at tightening security along vulnerable stretches.

Officials said the situation is being closely monitored, and further steps will depend on ground-level verification and coordination between state and central agencies.