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Calcutta HC Orders Trinamool: Why Border Fencing Delay Raises Security Alarms

The Calcutta High Court has put the West Bengal government on notice about border security concerns. A division bench ordered the state to submit an affidavit explaining delays in fencing the India-Bangladesh border. The petitioner, a former Army officer, highlighted serious security risks from the 569 km of unfenced border. Both the petitioner and central government representatives allege state government inaction is compromising border security.

Key Points: Calcutta HC Seeks Bengal Affidavit on India-Bangladesh Border Fencing

  • Calcutta HC gives 15-day deadline for state affidavit on border fencing delays
  • 569 km of Bengal-Bangladesh border remains unfenced despite security risks
  • Petitioner claims state government delaying land acquisition for border security
  • Additional Solicitor General alleges state not cooperating with Centre on fencing
2 min read

Calcutta HC seeks affidavit from Trinamool govt on India-Bangladesh border fencing work in Bengal

Calcutta High Court directs West Bengal government to explain delays in India-Bangladesh border fencing amid security concerns over smuggling and infiltration.

"Drugs, cows, gold and fake currency have continuously being smuggled through the India-Bangladesh border - Subrata Saha, Petitioner"

Kolkata, Nov 13

The Calcutta High Court, on Thursday, directed the West Bengal government to submit an affidavit on border fencing work along the areas of the India-Bangladesh border in the state.

The direction from the High Court came while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), demanding fencing along several hundred kilometres of the India-Bangladesh border.

On Thursday, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen ordered the state to file its statement in an affidavit within 15 days.

West Bengal's border area with Bangladesh is 2,217 km.

A considerable stretch of the border (569 km) is unfenced. As a result, infiltration and smuggling take place freely.

According to the petitioner Subrata Saha, the situation on the India-Bangladesh border is dangerous in terms of national security.

He has been working as an Army officer for a long time and is worried about this situation.

He claimed that since 2016, drugs, cows, gold and fake currency have continuously being smuggled through the India-Bangladesh border in the state.

Due to delay in land acquisition process of the state, fencing of the border area is not being done.

The petitioner claimed that the Central government has agreed to allocate funds, but there is a lack of proactive steps taken by the state.

Therefore, the petitioner was forced to file a PIL.

Additional Solicitor General Ashok Chakraborty, representing the Centre, said that the state government is not cooperating with the Union government in this regard.

As a result, fencing on the border is stalled.

After hearing the submission, the High Court sought the state government's affidavit on the matter within 15 days.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone living near the border area, I can confirm the smuggling issues. Drugs and fake currency are ruining our youth. Hope the court's intervention brings some solution. 🙏
A
Aditya G
While security is important, we must also consider the local communities affected by fencing. Many farmers lose their lands. There should be proper rehabilitation and compensation packages.
S
Sarah B
This is a serious matter that affects the entire country. The state and central governments need to work together instead of blaming each other. National security should be above politics.
K
Karthik V
The petitioner being an Army officer gives this PIL more credibility. He knows the ground reality better than politicians sitting in air-conditioned offices. Jai Hind! 💪
M
Meera T
I appreciate the High Court's proactive approach. 15 days deadline is reasonable. Let's see what explanation the state government provides for the delay in land acquisition.

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