BENGALURU: Amid rising concerns over the introduction of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship bill,

is gearing up to launch its first detention centre for illegal immigrants.

“Decks have been cleared for the detention centre and it will be operational in January,” said Amar Kumar Pandey, additional director general of police (law and order).

The Union government plans to establish detention centres in all states before introducing the NRC and Citizenship bill. Union home minister Amit Shah has already unveiled plans of introducing NRC across the country by 2024.

Officials from the state home department said the new centre, located in Nelamangala, about 40km from Bengaluru city, will house immigrants who have either overstayed illegally or infiltrated into the country. They will be held at the centre until they are deported to their respective countries.

The state government has zeroed in on a hostel building belonging to the social welfare department and converted it into a detention centre. RS Peddappaiah, commissioner, social welfare department, said the facility at present has three dormitories to accommodate 24 people. Two new watch towers have also been set up.

Though the building was ready, the launch was delayed since there was no clarity under whose jurisdiction the new centre would fall. Officials said the issue has been settled — the home department will take control, while the building will continue to be maintained by the social welfare department.

Labhu Ram, Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), said there are about 750 foreign nationals who are illegally overstaying in Karnataka at present and all of them may be sent to the new detention centre.

Increasing panic

These developments have fuelled panic among various communities, mainly minorities. Though state home minister Basavaraj Bommai recently clarified that the government intends to go slow on introducing NRC, many communities see it as an ominous sign. Bengaluru city has a sizeable number of Bengalis, Kashmiris and those from northeast states. Community organisations are now helping them prepare for NRC.

“We are organising registration camps for our community members to get documents such as Aadhar, PAN and birth certificate,” said Sushil Kumar Basin, president of Punjabi Welfare Association. “We are roping in domain experts to teach them how to prepare the family tree.” This, he said, is important for them since many have migrated from Pakistan during the partition.

The Karnataka State Wakf Board (KSBW) is helping Muslims get necessary documents. Neighbourhood mosques too are frequently urging the faithful to keep their documents in order.