Bengal Govt Hindering India-Bangladesh Border Fencing: Suvendu Adhikari

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday accused the West Bengal government of deliberately hindering efforts to secure land for constructing BSF outposts and other vital infrastructure along the Bangladesh border, thus endangering national security.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, he said, “The West Bengal government is obstructing the land acquisition process to build Border Outposts (BOPs) and fences to secure the border. While the central government is willing to bear all expenses, the state government is deliberately not providing the land.”

However, the Trinamool Congress, denied the charges as “baseless” and accused Adhikari of trying to politicise the issue.

“The allegations against the state government are baseless. The state government has provided all possible help to the BSF and other central agencies. Adhikari is trying to pin blame on the state government to divert attention from the failures of the central government,” TMC said.

According to Adhikari, 456.474 km area along the Indo-Bangladesh border is feasible for fencing, out of which land acquisition cases are on in an area of 284.56 km, which is important for preventing infiltration. There are a total of 133 land acquisition cases covering an area of 284.56 km, he said. “The centre has issued directions for creation of Border Protection Grid with institutional mechanism at district level standing committee, to meet on a monthly basis, but this is yet to be implemented by the state government,” Adhikari alleged.

Additionally, the Leader of Opposition in Assembly, further alleged that 17 land acquisition cases related to Border outposts, which are important for border protection, are pending. Also 11 key location plans required for headquarters are pending with the State government, he said.

He also raised concerns about the delay in the construction of border fencing, saying that 569.254 km of the international border in the state still remains unsecured, with significant portions being vulnerable to infiltration and smuggling. “In Bengal, 95 villages are situated ahead of fences, which are the source of infiltration and trans-border crimes. Despite repeated requests, the state government has not made any effort to shift any of these villages,” Suvendu Adhikari pointed out.

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Adhikari’s remarks came amid growing concerns about infiltration and transborder crimes in the state, particularly along the 2,216 km long India-Bangladesh border.

It is essential for the BSF and the West Bengal Police to hold joint operation to nab miscreants, the LoP said, adding, “The West Bengal Police hardly participates in any joint operation, in the border related incidents involving miscreants committing trans border crime, police remain reluctant to lodge FIR.”

He also claimed that cattle smuggling is a trans border crime on Indo-Bangladesh border. “West Bengal has 83 cattle haat located within 50km of the border, which are a big source of cattle smuggling and despite many requests, no cattle haat have been shifted,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BJP leader also accused the state police of non-cooperation with the BSF in controlling cross-border crimes, particularly smuggling, cattle trafficking, and the movement of drugs. “The state police have failed to take necessary actions against transborder criminals. Many of these criminal elements are operating under the protection of the ruling party,” he claimed.

Suvendu Adhikari further alleged, “It is only the BSF that apprehends illegal Bangladeshi nationals. In 2023, a total of 1,454 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended and in 2024 (till December 15), 1,728 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended by the BSF. In contrast, the West Bengal Police has hardly apprehended any Bangladeshi nationals. Besides this, many individuals who are handed over to the police by the BSF manage to secure bail and are subsequently apprehended again by the BSF. Similarly, Bangladeshi nationals often obtain fake Aadhaar cards with ease. A list of touts involved has been provided to the state police, but no action has been taken.”

The Ministry of Home Affairs, has written to the Government of West Bengal, recommending the development of a mechanism to prevent the issuance of fake Aadhaar cards, Adhikrai said. The MHA has suggested maintaining biometric data of apprehended infiltrators. he added.

This news is sourced from Indian Express and is intended for informational purposes only.