Bhubaneswar: Hours after TMC MP from Krishnanagar Mahua Moitra raised concern over illegal detention of 23 workers from Nadia in Jharsuguda, IG (Northern Range) Himanshu Lal on Wednesday asserted that procedure is aimed at maintaining the rule of law and national security and no specific community or region is being targeted.
In a long post on X, the senior police officer clarified that the individuals in question do not have valid documents to prove their residency or citizenship, requiring a detailed verification process to confirm their identity. “We understand the concerns raised regarding the holding of individuals in Jharsuguda. However, safeguarding national interest and security remains paramount and cannot be compromised.”
As part of a statewide crackdown on illegal immigrants, Odisha Police have detained 448 people since Monday night for verification on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas illegally residing in India. Among them, 444 individuals, many of whom had been living for a long time and working in industries, mines, or as masons and house painters, were rounded up in Jharsuguda and shifted to holding centres – Black Diamond College of Engineering and Technology in Jharsuguda sub-division and Surabhi Kalyan Mandap in Brajrajnagar sub-division. The documents of these individuals are being thoroughly examined to ascertain their nationality.
The IGP also listed out the verification process being undertaken, which he described as both ‘robust and humane’ in his post.
1. National Security First: Without verifiable documents, it is imperative to cross-check records to confirm whether individuals are Indian citizens or foreign nationals. This process is critical to protect our borders and ensure the safety of our nation.
2. Humane Treatment: These individuals are being held in designated facilities with access to adequate food, water, hygiene, and medical care, in line with humanitarian standards.
3. Robust Verification Process: The verification is being conducted meticulously by senior officials via a JIT (Joint Investigation Team), with multiple layers of scrutiny to ensure no Indian citizen is wrongfully detained or harassed. Every effort is made to uphold the rights of Indian citizens while maintaining the integrity of the process.
He further stated that those with valid documents are already returning or are in process of returning to their place of stay. “We urge the public to refrain from speculation and trust the authorities to carry out this process transparently and fairly,” he added.
In the video message shared by the TMC MP on her X handle, she said that 23 workers from her constituency are being held by Orient police in Jharsuguda district. “A total of 440 Bengal workers are being held, of which 23 are from my area. The Nadia SP has already spoken to his counterpart in Jharsuguda, who told him that they are being held on the pretext of some kind of documentation drive,” she said.
Moitra asserted that the 23 individuals have valid documentation and Aadhaar cards. “India is a union of states and every single citizen has the right to life and livelihood and work anywhere within the territory of India,” she said, seeking their immediate release.
She also threatened to file 23 habeas corpus writs. She further alleged that they never faced this issue during the 24 years of BJD government, but it has become a daily occurrence since the BJP government came to power in the state. “It is easy to harass and intimidate the poor who go to earn a livelihood, but have you ever thought 50% of Odisha’s tourism revenue comes from Bengal. What will happen if they stop going to your state…” she added.
Check her post here:
23 workers from Nadia being held in illegal detention in Jharsuguda. I urge @SecyChief @DGPOdisha to release immediately. Never happened in 24 years of @Naveen_Odisha & now it is daily occurrence. Do not think there is no-one to fight for these workers. pic.twitter.com/n4WMBFQlB6
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) July 9, 2025
Notably, the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all states and Union Territories to form Special Task Forces (STFs) in every district, led by the Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police, to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya settlers. States and UTs are also instructed to set up sufficient holding centres in each district to detain these illegal immigrants.
Accordingly, the Odisha government has ramped up efforts to detect foreign nationals residing illegally in the state.
In March, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi told the state Assembly that Odisha has 3,740 undocumented migrants from Bangladesh, with the highest numbers in Kendrapada (1,649), Jagatsinghpur (1,112), Malkangiri (655), Bhadrak (199), Nabarangpur (106), and Bhubaneswar (17).
The illegal immigrants come from the sea route and settle in coastal districts such as Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak and Balasore, according to official sources.
