The Bengal Cabinet has approved the acquisition of land for the India-Bangladesh border fencing.
The decision comes amid growing tensions between the two countries over the construction of barbed wire fencing along certain stretches of the border, as well as cross-border clashes involving farmers.
The West Bengal Cabinet has approved the acquisition of land for the Border Security Force (BSF) to build a fence along the India-Bangladesh border at Karimpur in Nadia district, amid rising tensions between the two nations over the construction of barbed wire fencing in certain border sections and clashes between farmers. An official stated, “The Cabinet granted in-principle approval on Monday. The land procurement process through the district-level committee will begin soon, and we will notify the Union Home Ministry to allocate funds to the committee.” West Bengal shares a 2,216 km border with Bangladesh, with some stretches remaining unfenced, making them vulnerable to infiltration and smuggling.
A BSF officer remarked that the fencing has helped reduce criminal activities along the border. "The fence would benefit both countries in curbing cross-border crimes."
On Friday, the BSF reported uncovering three underground chambers less than two kilometers from the border in Nadia district, seizing phensedyl cough syrup intended for smuggling into Bangladesh.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for not acquiring land for border fencing, accusing them of compromising national security. BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya stated, “National security is of utmost importance. The state government is not doing anything commendable by allowing land acquisition for fencing. No other state has witnessed such a situation between the government and the BSF over land. The state must take responsibility.”
In response, TMC spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar said the BJP would never win power in West Bengal, and if it had, they would have handed over the entire state to the BSF. "Border security is the BSF's responsibility. If they can’t secure the border without acquiring small land sections, they should inform us, and we will handle it."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BSF of intimidating villagers along the border. Ahead of the 2021 assembly elections, the TMC complained to the Election Commission about BSF threats to villagers, though the BSF denied the allegations. The TMC also opposed the Union government's decision to extend the BSF's jurisdiction from 15 km to 50 km, raising the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2021.
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