Illegal immigrants in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were at the centre of discussions as the Union Territory administration reviewed measures to strengthen detection, identification and deportation mechanisms in line with Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines.
Lieutenant Governor Admiral D K Joshi (Retd.) chaired a meeting at Lok Niwas that was attended by Director General of Police Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal and senior officers of the Andaman and Nicobar Police and the UT Administration. The focus of the deliberations was the constitution and operationalisation of district-wise Special Task Forces (STFs) to address cases involving illegal Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas.
Officials said the proposed STFs are intended to function as dedicated units tasked with coordinated intelligence gathering, verification of identity and lawful deportation processes. The emphasis, according to officials present at the meeting, was on ensuring that enforcement actions remain structured, coordinated and compliant with legal procedures.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed the need for strong inter-departmental coordination to ensure the effective functioning of the STFs. He underlined that intelligence-led operations would be critical in identifying illegal immigrants, particularly in a geographically dispersed territory such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He also reiterated that all actions must adhere strictly to due process and legal safeguards.
During the meeting, the Director General of Police briefed the Lieutenant Governor on preparedness measures being put in place by the police department. These include the formation of district-level STFs, identification and readiness of holding centres, and the adoption of biometric procedures for accurate identification and documentation.
Officials said biometric verification would be a key component in preventing identity-related discrepancies and ensuring reliable records during enforcement and deportation procedures. The use of such measures is aimed at strengthening the credibility and effectiveness of the process while maintaining transparency.
The discussions also covered operational coordination between the police, intelligence units and civil administration. Officials noted that close cooperation across departments would be essential to implement the STF framework effectively, particularly in coastal and border-sensitive areas of the islands.
The administration reiterated its commitment to internal security and public safety, while maintaining that enforcement measures would be carried out in a lawful and humane manner. Officials said the proposed framework reflects the Union Territory’s alignment with national policy directives on illegal immigration.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the administration’s intent to operationalise the STFs following procedural requirements, with periodic reviews expected to assess their performance and effectiveness in addressing illegal immigration concerns in the islands.
