Meerut to Get 500-Capacity Detention Centre; 6,500 Suspects Identified, Migrant Settlements Under Drone Surveillance

Meerut: The Meerut administration has launched a stringent monitoring drive across the city’s slums and informal settlements to identify and track migrant families. A detailed survey conducted by local authorities has identified approximately 6,500 individuals of concern across 1,600 families, with serious verification doubts raised against 3,200 of them. Half of the identified population comprises migrants from Assam, while others claim origins from West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

Drone Surveillance and Verification
According to SSP Dr. Vipin Tada, a special slum cell formed four months ago has mapped 52 areas with high concentrations of temporary migrant settlements. Several residents failed to produce valid identification documents, and their details have been separately recorded in a register. Authorities are keeping a close watch on all activities via drone surveillance. The verification process will confirm whether these individuals are legitimate migrants or foreign nationals.

Detention Centre Setup Accelerated
Following the model of the Nandgram centre in Ghaziabad, the Meerut administration has fast-tracked plans for a detention centre with a capacity of at least 500 foreign nationals. District Magistrate Dr. V.K. Singh instructed the Municipal Commissioner to immediately identify a suitable location. The facility will provide residents with food, healthcare, and basic amenities.

Current Status and Precautions
So far, no individuals of Bangladeshi, Rohingya, or African origin have been detected in the district. However, authorities are taking precautionary measures to strengthen monitoring and verification.

Major Migrant Settlements
Key migrant settlement clusters include Hapur Road and Lisari Gate, with other dense settlements near Lohia Nagar Dumping Ground, Ghosipur, Fatehullapur, Yamuna Nagar, Ashiyana Colony, and Sofipur. Many residents, primarily from Bengal and Assam, earn a living through scrap collection.

The initiative follows incidents such as the November 2022 fire near the 44th PAC on Hapur Road, which destroyed over 400 slum dwellings and led to fraudulent creation of Aadhaar cards. The administration’s intensified campaign aims to ensure the authenticity of migrant documentation and maintain city security.