Since late April 2025, Gujarat’s government has mounted its largest ever drive against suspected illegal Bangladeshi settlers combining mass detentions, home demolitions, tribunal hearings and deportations. Below is a current‑events roundup of how Gujarat has identified, processed and begun settling (or removing) these migrants as of May 8.

1. Identification and Detention

• Statewide raids by Gujarat Police, Special Operations Group, Crime Branch and local units have detained some 6,500 individuals whose documents (Aadhaar, voter ID, ration cards) appeared forged or suspiciously obtained .
• Document verification at newly established Foreigners’ Tribunals has so far confirmed roughly 450 as Bangladeshi nationals; the remainder remain under interrogation and cross‑checking of biometrics .

2. Demolition of Encroachments

• In Ahmedabad’s Chandola Lake slum dubbed “mini‑Bangladesh” AMC and police forces razed about 4,000 makeshift homes, reclaiming 1.5 lakh sq yds of encroached land for planned lakefront redevelopment .
• The Gujarat High Court refused to stay these demolitions, accepting government arguments linking the settlements to security threats and environmental degradation .

3. Deportation and Repatriation

• Confirmed Bangladeshi nationals are being processed for deportation. Special charter flights to Dhaka have repatriated over 300 individuals to date, with more scheduled in the coming week .
• DGP Vikas Sahay warned remaining illegal settlers to surrender within 48 hours or face “strict action,” emphasizing that those proven Indian nationals would be released with apologies .

4. Legal and Political Debate

• Opposition leaders have accused the BJP‑led state government of prior inaction questioning why these communities, some living for years near Chandola Lake, were only targeted after the Pahalgam terror attack .
• Rights groups have petitioned the High Court, decrying “collective punishment” and potential communal profiling; the court so far has upheld the state’s security rationale .

5. Humanitarian Impact

• NGOs report thousands of displaced families many women and children now lack adequate shelter, clean water and sanitation following demolitions .
• Local administrations have set up temporary relief camps, but aid groups warn resources are stretched thin unless the state scales up humanitarian support.

What’s Next?

• Continued tribunal hearings: Hundreds more cases will be heard daily to fast‑track identification.
• Further demolitions: Authorities plan similar clearance drives in Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot.
• International scrutiny: Human‑rights observers and Dhaka’s government are monitoring for due‑process compliance.

Gujarat’s settlement drive highlights the tension between security imperatives and humanitarian protections an issue likely to intensify ahead of upcoming state and national elections.