The UP government unveils a “surgical strike” plan targeting infiltrators through strict verification drives, detention centres, and enhanced security measures. The campaign aims to improve law and order, protect welfare schemes, and boost governance efficiency under CM Yogi Adityanath.
The Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled a comprehensive and aggressive blueprint to conduct what it calls a “surgical strike” against infiltrators residing illegally in the state. While the government maintains that the initiative is aimed at enhancing internal security and ensuring transparency in welfare delivery, the move is already triggering strong political reactions and could snowball into a major national debate.
According to an official statement, the Yogi Adityanath government has launched the campaign as part of its zero-tolerance policy toward illegal immigrants. The administration said the primary objective is to identify infiltrators, remove illegal occupants from state resources, and ensure that government schemes reach only eligible beneficiaries.
“This decisive step will not only enhance the security framework but also ensure that welfare assistance is delivered transparently to rightful citizens,” the statement said, adding that the blueprint focuses on carrying out a “surgical strike” against infiltrators operating across different districts.
Detention Centres With Enhanced Security
The state has proposed shifting identified infiltrators to detention centres equipped with what officials describe as “impenetrable security infrastructure”. These centres are designed to prevent any breach, escape attempt, or external interference. Authorities believe this stringent measure will contribute significantly to improving the law-and-order situation across Uttar Pradesh.
The government expects the initiative to lead to a measurable decline in crime rates and enhance public trust in policing. Officials claim that greater vigilance, especially in border districts, will assist police and security agencies in curbing illegal activities more effectively.
“With Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s firm stance, the crime rate is projected to fall further, while security forces will be better equipped to address infiltration-related concerns,” the statement added.
Preventing Misuse of Welfare Schemes
The state government argues that infiltrators have long exploited welfare schemes intended for genuine beneficiaries. Officials maintain that identifying illegal residents will help prevent the misuse of public funds and strengthen accountability in the distribution of social assistance.
“Infiltrators often deprive rightful citizens of welfare benefits. Their identification will ensure transparency and stop corruption linked to fraudulent claims,” the statement said.
The government also contends that the move will open new employment avenues for local youth by eliminating unfair competition posed by undocumented workers hired at lower wages.
Improving Government Services and Verification Processes
Authorities have also linked the campaign to broader improvements in state administration. Fast-tracked verification processes for passports, licensing, and identity documents are among the expected outcomes. With reduced cases of fraud, fake IDs, and identity-based crime, the government believes citizen services will become more efficient.
The statement further noted that public trust in governance is likely to rise as verification mechanisms become more robust and infiltrator networks are dismantled.
Recent Verification Drives Reveal Suspected Infiltrators
The government recently intensified verification drives across the state to identify illegal immigrants, including Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals. Officials said infiltrators have been using state resources that rightfully belong to Indian citizens, justifying the need for strict action.
In Varanasi, police teams discovered that several suspected Bangladeshi families—originally from West Bengal—had been living in a locality for several years. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police T. Sarvan, the families were residing in premises allegedly linked to a local political leader from the Samajwadi Party.
DCP (Kashi Zone) Gaurav Banswal confirmed that the operation was part of the state-wide, seven-day campaign titled “Operation Torch”, aimed at identifying illegal immigrants staying in slums or working as street vendors across major cities.
Linguistic Experts From Tripura May Assist Identification
To strengthen the verification process, senior officials revealed that the state may bring in linguistic experts from Tripura. These specialists would help identify suspected Bangladeshi nationals who allegedly claim to be residents of West Bengal or Assam and often possess supporting Indian documents.
Authorities said these individuals frequently work in brick kilns, factories, and other labour-intensive sectors in western Uttar Pradesh. Their speech patterns and cultural mannerisms have raised suspicion, prompting the government to consider linguistic verification as an additional tool.
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As the UP government moves ahead with its aggressive plan, opposition parties are expected to challenge both the intent and the execution of the campaign, potentially transforming the issue into a national political flashpoint in the months ahead.
