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UP begins crackdown on ‘infiltrators’, ‘illegal immigrants’ after CM Yogi order

Special focus on the UP districts bordering Nepal and other states. The govt said that the procedure of verification will be “fair and transparent”

UP begins crackdown on illegal immigrants

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. (Source: PTI)

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday launched a drive to identify “infiltrators” and “illegal immigrants” in the state, a day after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued an order to do so.

The government said that the procedure of verification will be “fair and transparent”, ensuring no inconvenience to law-abiding individuals. “At the same time, strict action will be taken against those found using fraudulent documents or involved in suspicious activities,” the BJP government in the state said.

The government also stated that the crackdown has been strengthened along the Nepal border and key urban centres and cited the UP’s geographical positioning, sharing borders with eight states, one Union Territory, and Nepal.

“In recent years, incidents involving infiltration, fake identity documents, and activities affecting stability have risen in border regions, directly impacting the state. The unauthorised settlement of foreign nationals in cities under forged identities poses a challenge not only to law and order but also to social balance and the fair distribution of public resources,” the government said.

The statement further stated that the Central and state governments are accelerating efforts to identify illegal foreign nationals.

“All District Magistrates and senior police officials have been instructed to give top priority to verifying foreign nationals and thoroughly reviewing their documentation,” a senior official said.

Officials in districts along the Nepal border have been alerted to intensify the drive, as they are vulnerable to unauthorized entry, fake identity creation, and activities.

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Meanwhile, the district administrations have started the process of setting up temporary detention centres.

These facilities will allow officials to safely house individuals until documentation checks are complete, helping prevent misuse of public services and easing pressure on local civic systems.

“The presence of illegal foreign nationals affects government benefits, employment opportunities, and resource distribution,” the government said, noting that according to information shared in Parliament, former Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju stated in 2016 that an estimated 20 million illegal Bangladeshi immigrants may be residing in India. Additionally, in August 2017, he informed Parliament that more than 40,000 illegal Rohingya migrants are present in the country, the government claimed.

“Rapidly growing cities such as Lucknow, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Varanasi face the greatest pressure due to already dense populations and high demand on infrastructure,” the government said.

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On Tuesday, Yogi Adityanath had told all District Magistrates (DMs) to take swift and stringent action against “infiltrators” and “illegal immigrants”, while issuing instructions to set up temporary detention centres in each district to lodge them.

Emphasising that law and order, national security, and social harmony remain top priorities, he had stated that any illegal activity will not be tolerated.

The CM also asked officers to keep him updated about the drive and ensure every district is free of illegal immigrants, the source informed.

Bhupendra Pandey

Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements. From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution. Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story. His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape. Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context. By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read More

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