Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh: Twenty-three people believed to be Bangladeshi nationals were detained by the district police's Special Task Force (STF) after a targeted drive to identify illegal immigrants and those living with forged or false documents, officials said on Sunday.
Scope of the drive and immediate action
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajnesh Singh said the STF, led by Additional Superintendent of Police (IUCAW) Rashmeet Kaur Chawla and comprising seven inspectors, conducted checks across Bilaspur district over the past two months. The operation examined identity papers and residential claims of people at various locations.
"The STF carried out checks at several locations across the district in the last two months. Some 1,162 people were checked during the drive and 23 were found to have allegedly submitted false or fake documents," the SSP said.
The 23 detainees were primarily engaged in hawking in Bilaspur and were reported to have been living in the district for about two years. They were residing in the jurisdiction of Sirgitti police station and were moved to a holding centre in Raipur on September 4 while verification of their identities and documents continues.
Verification work and links to West Bengal districts
STF teams visited several districts in West Bengal — including Murshidabad, Jangipur and Malda — after the detainees claimed to be from those areas. According to the police, checks carried out in those districts indicated the personal details and documentation provided by the detainees did not match official records.
"The investigations conducted by the STF in Murshidabad and surrounding districts have established that all of them are from Bangladesh. However, we are awaiting further confirmation, following which the deportation process will be initiated," the SSP said.
Police said previous action had been taken in the district against two suspected Bangladeshi nationals, and gave the example of one individual identified as Mohammad Hussain alias Sagar.
What happens next: verification and deportation
Authorities have not announced a definitive timeline for the completion of cross‑checks or for formal deportation. The SSP indicated that final confirmation of nationality remains pending and that deportation procedures will follow once confirmation is secured from relevant authorities in West Bengal and central agencies as required.
For residents and local businesses, the immediate impact is likely to be increased police presence and document checks in public markets and areas where hawking is common. Bilaspur police urged the public to co-operate with verification efforts and to report suspicious identity claims.
Data at a glance
| Item | Figure/Detail |
|---|---|
| People checked during drive | 1,162 |
| Detained on suspicion of using fake documents | 23 |
| Primary area of residence in Bilaspur | Sirgitti police station area |
| Detention centre | Holding centre, Raipur |
| West Bengal districts visited for verification | Murshidabad, Jangipur, Malda |
Public guidance and police contact
- Bilaspur police asked residents to report doubts about identity, residence or documents by calling the toll-free number 1800-233-1905.
- Police warned against assisting or harbouring individuals found to be in the country without valid documents; legal action may follow depending on verification outcomes.
The STF operation underscores ongoing efforts by district law enforcement to address alleged illegal immigration and document fraud. Officials said they will continue co-ordination with authorities in West Bengal and central agencies to complete identity verification and, where confirmed, initiate deportation processes in line with statutory procedure.
No further details about the ages or exact identities of the detainees were disclosed. The police have not reported any criminal charges beyond allegations of possessing false or forged documents at this stage.
