Bengal’s Big Border Move: 142 Acres Given To BSF, Fencing Work Accelerates

Kolkata: The West Bengal government has intensified measures to strengthen border security by facilitating the construction of Border Security Force (BSF) outposts and barbed-wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Wednesday.Adhikari said additional land has now been handed over to the BSF, taking the total allocation to 142.79 acres across multiple border districts in the state.In a post on X, Adhikari said, "Govt of WB has initiated intensified measures to strengthen Border Security by facilitating construction of BSF Outposts & Barbed-Wire Fencing, further enhancing security in the Border areas. Additional land has now been handed over to BSF, taking the total tally to 142.79 acres."Also Read

- From Women Aid To Rs 5 Fish-Rice Meals: Suvendu Adhikari's Welfare Pitch In BengalAccording to data shared by Adhikari, Murshidabad received the highest allocation at 38.805 acres, followed by Jalpaiguri with 35.165 acres and Cooch Behar with 22.95 acres."As part of this ongoing initiative, a substantial amount of land has already been distributed across nine districts. The breakdown of the land transferred to the BSF so far is as follows: 22.95 acres in Cooch Behar, 35.165 acres in Jalpaiguri, 8.815 acres in Darjeeling, 2.84 acres in Uttar Dinajpur, 20.1701 acres in Dakshin Dinajpur, 10.90 acres in Malda, 38.805 acres in Murshidabad, 0.55 acres in Nadia, and 2.6 acres in North 24 Parganas," the post stated.The development comes as fencing work has begun along the India-Bangladesh border in the Phansidewa area of Siliguri subdivision after the state government handed over 27 kilometres of land to the BSF, marking a significant step towards tightening border security in the region.Meanwhile, a large number of people gathered at the Hakimpur checkpost near the Bangladesh border after authorities launched a crackdown on undocumented Bangladeshi migrants amid the push for the 'detect, delete and deport' policy by the BJP government in West Bengal.The Hakimpur checkpost is an international border crossing situated in North 24 Parganas district.Speaking to ANI, a Bangladeshi migrant who previously worked as a mechanic in Howrah said they were returning because they could no longer find work and were not being allowed to stay due to the implementation of the policy."There is a lot of trouble going on here right now, so we are leaving. We cannot find any work, and no one is allowing us to stay. It has been two or three years since we arrived here from Bangladesh. We were brought here by another individual. No, I had not (obtained an Aadhaar card or a Ration card). I used to live in the Howrah district. I am a motorcycle mechanic. Ten of us had come. Right now, I am the only one returning," he told ANI.The latest developments also follow a directive issued by the West Bengal government's Home and Hill Affairs Department asking all district magistrates to establish holding centres for apprehended foreigners and released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation, in line with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines.According to the official communication issued on May 23, district authorities have been instructed to take necessary steps for housing individuals identified as staying illegally in the country, including those who have completed prison sentences and are awaiting deportation.The directive further stated that authorities must act as per the MHA framework on deportation and repatriation procedures for Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas found residing illegally in India.