KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has initiated the process of handing over land to the Border Security Force (BSF) to facilitate the construction of barbed-wire fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
An Akashvani correspondent reported that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari formally launched the land-transfer process yesterday at the state secretariat, Nabanna, in the presence of senior BSF officials.
During the event, the Chief Minister criticized the previous administration, accusing them of undermining border security through a policy of “non-cooperation.”
He stressed that completely fencing the border is vital for both national and state safety, highlighting pressing issues such as infiltration, smuggling, counterfeit currency, forced religious conversions, and various crimes linked to illegal Bangladeshi entrants.
West Bengal shares nearly 2,200 kilometers of the total 4,000-kilometer India-Bangladesh border. While fencing already covers about 1,600 kilometers of this stretch, a 600-kilometer portion remains completely unfenced.
Yesterday’s handover includes land designated for a 27-kilometer stretch, out of which 18 kilometers will be used for setting up the barbed-wire fencing and 9 kilometers will be utilized for building BSF outposts and related infrastructure.
The Chief Minister assured that more land would be transferred in the near future, adding that the acquisition costs are being fully covered by the Central Government and the BSF.
BSF Director General Praveen Kumar praised the state government, noting that the essential cooperation required for smooth border operations is now being actively received under the new state administration.
(With inputs from newsonair)
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