"Ready to hand over 27 km of land to BSF for fencing": West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari
Kolkata, May 20
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced that the state government is ready to hand over 27 kilometres of land for fencing at the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Addressing a press conference in Howrah, CM Adhikari said that the government will also provide land for border outpost and Border Security Force (BSF) infrastructure.
The BJP's manifesto promised land allocation for fencing along the India-Bangladesh border within 45 days of forming the government, as part of its major poll plank to stop illegal immigrants from the neighbouring country.
Adhikari said, "We are ready to hand over 27 kilometres of land for fencing, along with a few BOP (Border Outpost) land, and BSF infrastructure development land."
He slammed the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, accusing it of denying the land for fencing.
"After a long time, BSF and the Government of India approached the State Government to hand over adequate land to complete the fencing on the Indo-Bangladesh border. But the earlier State Government did not respond and denied. Due to their non-cooperation, the safety and security of our nation and state are facing a very dangerous situation. Finally, a change happened, and a true patriotic government started its journey. Within two weeks, our bureaucrats are now ready to hand over a portion of land," the Chief Minister said.
Earlier, in its first cabinet meeting, the BJP government approved the transfer of land to the BSF.
On May 11, Adhikari said, "In our very first Cabinet meeting today, we have taken the decision to transfer the land to the BSF. The process of transferring this land commences today. It will be transferred to the MHA within the next 45 days. Once this is accomplished, the BSF will complete the border fencing, and the ongoing issue of illegal infiltration will be resolved within a short period."
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm all for border security, but 27 km is just a fraction of the total border. Also, why did the TMC deny land before? That seems irresponsible. But let's not politicize this too much—protecting our borders should be above party lines. Hope the BSF gets full cooperation going forward.
Interesting development. Living in the US, I see how border security is a huge debate here. India's approach with fencing seems proactive. But I wonder if the real issue is just the fence or the broader problem of human smuggling and economic disparity? Still, good to see action being taken.
This is a long overdue step! Illegal immigration has been a serious problem in West Bengal, affecting local jobs and resources. The TMC's previous denial shows their lack of concern for the state's security. CM Adhikari is keeping his promise. Let's hope this sets a precedent for other states too.
As someone from the US, I'm curious about the impact of fencing on local communities near the border. It can disrupt lives and trade. I hope India is considering humanitarian aspects too. But yes, illegal infiltration is a valid concern—balance is key.
Good initiative, but I have mixed feelings. On one hand, security is paramount. On the other, the rhetoric about "illegal immigrants" often gets misused to target minorities. Let's ensure this is about national security, not divisive politics. Also, 27 km is a start, but we need a comprehensive plan.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.