Odisha Police detained 444 individuals suspected to be illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants across multiple locations in the Jharsuguda district.
The operation, led by Superintendent of Police Smit P Parmar, was launched to identify foreign nationals who may have entered India without legal documentation.
Among those detained, 265 individuals were taken from various police station areas under the Brajrajnagar Sub-division and temporarily housed at Surabhi Kalyana Mandap in Hilltop Colony. The remaining were moved to a holding centre on the premises of Black Diamond College of Engineering and Technology, under the jurisdiction of Jharsuguda Sub-division.
Preliminary reports suggest that several of the detainees have been working as labourers, masons, or hawkers across the district. Authorities indicated that those confirmed to have entered India illegally would face legal action and deportation procedures.
Police have formed two dedicated centres for holding and verification, where officials are thoroughly checking documents and identities. SP Smit P Parmar emphasised that the process is being conducted methodically, and any conclusions will only be drawn after due verification.
This high-profile operation underscores the growing concern over unauthorised immigration in Odisha, raising questions about border security, economic migration, and the role of local employers in facilitating undocumented labour.
