74 Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants Hiding As Labourers Detained in Gujarat's Surat Amid Anti-Encroachment Drive In Ahmedabad

As part of an ongoing crackdown on “illegal foreign immigrants”, Surat rural police have detained 59 alleged Bangladeshi nationals, including 13 children, as per the Indian Express.

In similar operations, seven and eight Bangladeshi nationals were detained in Valsad and Navsari districts, respectively. With these actions, the total number of detentions under the drive in the Surat Range has reached 74.

A verification drive across eight police stations of Surat rural was carried out in Bardoli, Palsana, Kadodara, Kamrej, Kim, Kosamba, Olpad, and Mandvi. The majority, 55 of the 59 confirmed Bangladeshis, were found in Palsana, a hub for industrial labour.

Surat Superintendent of Police Hitesh Joyser confirmed that the verification of the remaining suspects is ongoing, and the number may rise.

Surat Range Inspector General Prem Vir Singh stated, as quoted by the Indian Express, “The document verification process is on and the numbers will go up in the coming days in Surat rural, Navsari and Valsad. At present, a total of 74 people have been identified as Bangladeshi nationals in Surat range.”

“These people had entered India illegally and have been staying here since long. They were working in jewellery factories, involved in floor tiles fitting jobs or other petty works, or worked as electricians, plumbers, etc. We have laid down procedures to deport these illegal immigrants,” he further said.

The crackdown began on 25 April and follows a larger effort by Gujarat authorities to track and remove illegal foreign nationals residing in the state, including the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Ahmedabad.

Many detainees had been working in local industries and trades, indicating long-term settlement. Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to identifying and deporting illegal immigrants as part of a wider state-level operation. Therefore, the numbers may rise as the drive intensifies.