mamata-banerjee-accuses-bsf-of-aiding-border-infiltration

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sparked controversy by accusing the Border Security Force (BSF) of enabling infiltration from Bangladesh to destabilise the state.

 

Speaking during an administrative meeting, she alleged that the BSF, which is responsible for guarding the border, was involved in allowing unauthorised entry and also torturing women.

 

Her remarks have drawn sharp criticism and have become a significant flashpoint in the ongoing political tussle between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), especially as the state gears up for next year’s Assembly election.

 

Banerjee pointed out that border security lies under the jurisdiction of the central government, not the state. She firmly stated that any allegations of the TMC permitting infiltration were baseless and redirected accountability to the BSF.

 

She emphasised that if infiltration was occurring, it was due to the failure of central forces deployed at the border.

 

The Chief Minister also revealed that she had received information from state police and local sources regarding the infiltration activities.

 

She announced plans to direct the Director General of Police (DGP) to investigate and identify areas where such incidents were happening. Banerjee further said she intended to write to the central government, demanding immediate action.

 

Banerjee expressed her desire to maintain peace in both Bengal and Bangladesh, stressing that there was no hostility between the two regions.

 

However, she accused the BSF of allowing criminals to cross the border, commit offences, and return to Bangladesh. She warned the Centre against any attempts to fuel unrest in the state and cautioned that such actions could lead to protests.

 

The porous nature of the India-Bangladesh border has long been a challenge for security agencies. With vast unfenced stretches and rivers running along the boundary, the region remains vulnerable to infiltration and smuggling activities.

 

Union Minister Giriraj Singh hit back at Banerjee, accusing her of turning Bengal into a hub for Bangladeshi infiltration.

 

He claimed that the Chief Minister’s alleged appeasement politics were encouraging illegal entry into the state, which he described as a gateway for Bangladeshi Muslims and Rohingyas. Singh also highlighted the ongoing atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, calling it a matter of global concern.