Bengal CM directs police to step up BSF coordination, show no mercy to Bangladeshi infiltrators

Kolkata, Jul 10 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday directed the police in Murshidabad district to strengthen coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) and "show no mercy" to infiltrators from Bangladesh, asserting that law enforcement should act firmly against illegal border crossings. Addressing reporters after chairing an administrative review meeting in Murshidabad, a border district that has witnessed communal tension in the recent past during the previous Trinamool Congress regime here, Adhikari said the administration had been instructed to intensify action against infiltration and cross-border crime. "I have told the police to show no mercy to infiltrators in the bordering areas (in this district) and deal with them strictly. Till today, you could only send back 69 people across the border, while there are several thousand in the state. In comparison, this number is too small. Increase your coordination with the BSF," he said. The chief minister alleged that narcotics and illegal liquor smuggled across the international border were contributing to social degradation. "Behind the social degradation are drugs, illegal liquor shops and narcotics which are imported from Bangladesh and also exported," he said. Adhikari lauded the district administration in transfering 338-acre of land required by the BSF for border infrastructure within 45 days after formation of the new government in the state. "Around 363 acres of land was supposed to be handed over to the BSF. The district administration has already handed over 338 acres, which is the best performance compared to other districts in the state. The officials have understood what the government is looking for," he said. He said the district authorities had also been instructed to "do the needful" to secure the release of "Hindu refugees who are at the moment imprisoned here." The chief minister said police personnel had been told to act decisively in maintaining law and order without waiting for instructions from senior authorities. "Police have been instructed that in case of incidents like those witnessed earlier (riots) in Dhulian, Samserganj, Beldanga, Rejinagar and Shaktipur, there is no need to call (telephone) anybody. You must work as per the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the training you have received; the policy is 'do it now'. They (Police) have been given clear guidance to go all out," he said. Adhikari asserted that incidents such as attacks on police personnel, arson, vandalism and disruption of railway services would not be tolerated. "Law and order will remain undisturbed. Incidents like uprooting railway tracks, setting trains and buses on fire, attacking police and vandalising police stations are matters of the past. These will never happen here again," he said, adding that the police had also been directed to act firmly against crimes involving women and trafficking in the border areas. Referring to provocative public speeches, apparently alluding to Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief and Nowda MLA Humayun Kabir without naming him, Adhikari urged political leaders to refrain from making inflammatory remarks. "In the last two months, no major incident has taken place in this district. Someone delivered provocative and polarising speeches, but there was prompt action. If the police are not working properly or are involved in any malpractice, bring it to my notice. I am the chief minister as well as the home minister, and I will take appropriate action," he said. Adhikari also said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was probing alleged irregularities in the issuance of birth certificates in the state. "The CID is investigating the matter. Even if a BDO is involved, he or she will be brought to book. Have faith in us," he said. Incidentally, verification has revealed a huge number of fake birth certificates in West Bengal, with Malda reporting the highest number of cases, followed by districts like Murshidabad, Birbhum, Uttar Dinajpur, North 24 Parganas, Kolkata and Purulia. About the steps taken by his government to arrest Ganga erosion in the district, Adhikari said the state has submitted a proposal worth Rs 3,600 crore to the Centre for anti-erosion measures along the Ganga in Malda and Murshidabad districts, of which Rs 2,500 crore had been earmarked for Murshidabad. "Preparations are in full swing. I give you my word that in 2027, people living in the Ganga erosion-hit areas of Murshidabad will get some relief. This year, we will not be able to do much because the monsoon has already begun, but precautionary measures have been taken," he said. The chief minister expressed confidence that Murshidabad would witness "massive development" over the next two to three months and praised the district administration for maintaining peace during recent religious festivals, including Bakri Eid and Muharram. PTI SCH NN