Kolkata, May 11. West Bengal's newly sworn-in Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari took a landmark decision in his first cabinet meeting on Monday — state land will be transferred to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing the India-Bangladesh border. The transfer is to be completed within 45 days.
End of a 15-year opposition
The decision reverses former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's 15-year opposition to such fencing. Banerjee had traditionally opposed the move on grounds of displacement of riverine and border communities. The new government has described that stance as "compromising national security" and reversed it immediately.
A 2,217-km border with tough terrain
West Bengal shares the longest stretch of the India-Bangladesh border — 2,217 kilometres. Much of it passes through the marshlands of the Sunderbans, river mouths, and narrow corridors, making fencing and surveillance difficult. About 350 km of the boundary remains unfenced.
Bangladesh's reaction
Bangladesh's Border Guard (BGB) has been on heightened alert since the BSF announcement. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has warned that Dhaka will take "appropriate measures" if alleged "push-ins" of infiltrators increase. Multiple border incidents have been reported between the BSF and BGB in recent months.