Kolkata: West Bengal has accelerated the installation of barbed-wire fencing along vulnerable sections of the India-Bangladesh border in North 24 Parganas district to prevent illegal infiltration. This development follows Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's announcement of expediting the handover of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing purposes.
Unfenced Stretches and Ongoing Discussions
According to administrative sources, approximately 51 kilometers of the nearly 150-kilometer stretch from Bongaon to Hingalganj-Samsernagar remain unfenced. Discussions involving the police, BSF, and local residents are currently underway regarding the handover of fertile agricultural land to the administration for fencing.
High-Sensitivity Zones Under Surveillance
BSF officials have highlighted that the 96-kilometer long Swarupnagar to Samserganj stretch, which includes 46 kilometers along the Icchamati River, is highly sensitive and remains under strict surveillance. Basirhat Superintendent of Police Alaknanda Vhowal recently conducted an inspection of the area alongside BSF officials to assess the situation.
Farmers' Concerns Over Land Acquisition
Farmers in the Basirhat sector have expressed concerns about the land acquisition process, as parts of their farmland lie beyond the existing fence near Bangladesh's Satkhira district. Currently, these farmers are required to submit identity documents to border guards in order to cross the border and work on their fields.
Land Acquisition Progress in Bongaon
In Bongaon, approximately 24 acres of land are needed for fencing. Authorities have already obtained consent from farmers for 20 acres, and discussions with other farmers are ongoing to secure the remaining land. The administration is working to address the concerns of the affected farmers while ensuring the security of the border.
