Kolkata, May 21. The BJP government in West Bengal has decided to hand over a 27-kilometer stretch of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) with the aim of strengthening border security.

Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari announced this during a press conference held at Nabanna on Wednesday, indicating a tough stance against illegal infiltrators.

The Chief Minister said that the state cabinet has approved the proposal to transfer land to the BSF, and in the initial phase, 27 kilometers of land will be made available within the next two weeks. He added that the Land and Revenue Secretary and the Chief Secretary have been assigned the responsibility to complete the process within 45 days.

Shubhendu Adhikari stated that the India-Bangladesh border is approximately four thousand kilometers long, of which 2,200 kilometers falls within West Bengal.

He claimed that so far, only 1,600 kilometers of the border in the state have been fenced with barbed wire, while about 600 kilometers remain unprotected.

He alleged that the previous government did not provide the necessary land to the BSF due to political reasons and a policy of appeasement.

The Chief Minister said that there has been an increase in law and order issues, women’s safety concerns, forced conversions, and other criminal activities in border areas, with a large number of illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators involved.

He stated that the state government will now hold regular coordination meetings with the BSF on border security matters.

During the press conference, the Chief Minister also said that individuals not covered under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be considered illegal infiltrators.

Such individuals will be arrested by the state police and handed over to the BSF, after which the process of repatriation will begin. He mentioned that the central government had sent guidelines to the state last year in this regard, which are now being implemented.

The Chief Minister said that this is just the beginning for border security, and further cooperation will be provided to the BSF as needed in the future. During the press conference, BSF officials welcomed the Chief Minister with a memento and a bouquet.

Nabanna

Nabanna is the secretariat building of the West Bengal government in India, located in the Howrah district near Kolkata. Inaugurated in 2013, it serves as the administrative headquarters housing the Chief Minister’s office and various government departments. The name “Nabanna” means “new harvest” in Bengali, symbolizing a fresh start and prosperity.

India-Bangladesh border

The India-Bangladesh border is one of the world’s most complex and historically significant international boundaries, shaped by the 1947 Partition of British India. It stretches over 4,000 kilometers and includes numerous enclaves, which were finally resolved through the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement between the two nations. This border remains a critical area for trade, migration, and security, reflecting both the shared cultural heritage and the political divisions of the region.

West Bengal

West Bengal, located in eastern India, is a state rich in cultural and historical significance, having been a major center of the Bengal Renaissance and the Indian independence movement. Its capital, Kolkata, served as the capital of British India until 1911 and is renowned for its colonial architecture, literature, and arts. The state is also famous for its diverse heritage, including the Sundarbans mangrove forest, the terracotta temples of Bishnupur, and its vibrant festivals like Durga Puja.

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a controversial Indian law passed in December 2019 that fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim immigrants from neighboring countries who entered India before 2015. It sparked nationwide protests due to critics arguing it discriminates against Muslims and violates India’s secular constitution. The law remains a significant point of political and social debate in India.