BSF hands over more than 100 'illegal Bangladeshis' to BGB

India's BSF on Friday formally handed over more than 100 "illegal Bangladeshis" to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at Hakimpur border check-post in Satkhira.

BSF personnel first verified the identities of the migrants, who wish to return home voluntarily, and then contacted BGB to double-check data and hand over the detainees.

Over the past few days, hundreds of undocumented Bangladeshis have gathered in the Indian side of the borde area in Satkhira to voluntarily return home amid fears in the  community they could be sent to "holding centres" in India under a new government order.

Last week, the newly-elected BJP provincial government ordered the construction of "holding centres" to keep suspected and confirmed undocumented Bangladeshi citizens there.

In response to the order, hundreds thronged the border area in Satkhira, and sought BSF intervention for ensuring a safe and legal border crossing.

Many of these people illegally crossed the border into India many years ago in the hopes of finding quality jobs or business. They settled in Kolkata and nearby areas.

Since the ouster of Mamata Banerjee, they are in a rush to return back to the country.

As of Thursday, at least 250 undocumented Bangladeshis were being held in detention centres in Hakimpur, Swarupnagar Bazar, and Tetulia.

At least 500 others remained stranded in border areas and holding centres. BSF personnel are collecting their biometric data and putting their names on a list, before formally informing the Bangladeshi authorities about the desire among the illegal migrants to return home.