Hakimpur, West Bengal — Two days after West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose visited the Hakimpur border outpost to inspect reports of “reverse migration,” the border post witnessed a fresh surge of Bangladeshis arriving to return home on Wednesday, officials said. This renewed activity comes in the midst of the ongoing State-wide SIR (Secure Identity Recognition) verification exercise, which has prompted undocumented migrants to voluntarily approach the Border Security Force (BSF) for repatriation.

From the early hours of the morning, over 60 Bangladeshis were seen gathering near the Hakimpur checkpost in North 24 Parganas district, resuming a pattern seen over the past few days. The area had appeared unusually quiet on Monday during the Governor’s visit, but the usual flow of returnees resumed by Tuesday evening. Large bags and bundles lined the approach to the checkpost as people waited for their turn to be processed, highlighting the logistical challenges faced by both the migrants and authorities.

Many of those queuing said they had lived in different parts of West Bengal and other Indian states for years, often under Indian identity documents that they now fear may not meet the stringent SIR norms. Among them was Jamir Alam, who recounted that he had crossed the border “many years ago” and settled in the Simlagarh area of Pandua. “Both my legs have stopped functioning. My parents have passed away. I have no one left here,” he said, explaining that despite possessing a voter card and Aadhaar, he did not have the required “2002 linkage” mandated under the SIR framework. “So I am going back to an aunt in Bangladesh,” he added.

Another migrant, Mohammad Anis from Satkhira, described having crossed into India with the help of agents after paying a substantial sum. He spent several years working as a labourer in Delhi but said that with the SIR exercise now underway, he and his family were choosing to return voluntarily.

According to BSF personnel, most of those arriving at Hakimpur in recent days are self-deporting, acting in accordance with guidelines that require verification of nationality, coordination with Bangladeshi authorities, and facilitation of repatriation. This process has allowed undocumented migrants to return in an orderly manner, while also ensuring compliance with official procedures.

Governor Bose had visited the border post on Monday evening to assess the situation firsthand. He held meetings with senior BSF officials and interacted with local residents, focusing on the implications of the reverse migration trend triggered by the SIR exercise. During the Governor’s visit, the border remained unusually quiet, with no returnees arriving for repatriation.

However, by Tuesday evening, the usual movement resumed. Groups of men, women, and elderly individuals carrying heavy luggage gradually filled the narrow approach road to the border gate, signalling the continuation of the voluntary return process. Local residents noted that the crowd that had disappeared during the Governor’s inspection reappeared in full strength as SIR verification proceeded on the Indian side, while coordination with Bangladeshi authorities ensured the formal handover of migrants.

The reverse migration phenomenon has been visible in pockets across both North and South Bengal since the commencement of the SIR exercise earlier this month. Hakimpur, in particular, has emerged as a focal point, attracting a steady stream of Bangladeshis approaching the BSF to arrange their return.

The SIR exercise, which involves scrutiny of documents and verification of identity, has put many long-term residents of India—who may have lived here for decades—under pressure to prove their eligibility under current rules. The verification process requires individuals to demonstrate links dating back to 2002 or earlier, a provision that has created uncertainty for many who have relied on voter cards, Aadhaar, or other identity documents issued in India.

While some returnees cited personal hardships or family circumstances, others expressed concerns about potential legal or bureaucratic challenges during verification. The BSF has been coordinating closely with Bangladeshi authorities to facilitate safe and orderly repatriation, ensuring that migrants are processed efficiently and in accordance with international norms.

The local community around Hakimpur has been directly affected by these movements. Residents have observed fluctuations in crowd density depending on the presence of officials or high-profile visits, such as that of Governor Bose, who has been closely monitoring the situation to understand its social and administrative implications.

Despite the temporary lull during the Governor’s inspection, the subsequent resurgence in numbers indicates that the voluntary return process is ongoing and that the SIR exercise continues to influence migration patterns. Officials emphasised that the process is being conducted humanely, with the focus on verification and safe repatriation rather than coercion.

Overall, Hakimpur has become a key hub in the management of undocumented migration between India and Bangladesh, serving both as a checkpoint for identity verification and as a focal point for coordinated repatriation efforts. The events of the past week reflect the challenges of implementing a large-scale verification exercise in a densely populated border region, while also highlighting the human dimension of migration, where personal histories and administrative requirements intersect.

The continuation of this reverse migration trend underscores the importance of sustained coordination between the BSF, state authorities, and Bangladeshi officials. As the SIR exercise progresses, more individuals are expected to approach the border voluntarily, and the authorities are preparing to manage the process efficiently, balancing security concerns with humanitarian considerations.

Hakimpur’s experience over the past week illustrates the complex dynamics of cross-border migration in West Bengal, where regulatory frameworks intersect with long-established settlement patterns and personal narratives. While the Governor’s visit temporarily slowed the flow of returnees, the resumption of arrivals demonstrates the persistent impact of the SIR exercise on the ground.

As the process continues, local and national authorities are likely to monitor developments closely, using the experiences at Hakimpur as a case study for broader migration management and verification efforts across the state. The focus remains on ensuring orderly repatriation, protecting individual rights, and maintaining stability along one of India’s busiest international borders.