Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday expressed serious concern over illegal infiltration in West Bengal and indicated that the Centre is moving towards strengthening border security along the India- Bangladesh frontier .
Speaking at a public event in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Shah said major steps are being taken to improve security arrangements along the border, with special focus on sensitive areas.
He stated that nearly 600 hectares of land have been handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) within a week to speed up border-related infrastructure work. He also highlighted the importance of the strategically sensitive “Chicken Neck” corridor, where around 121 hectares of land have reportedly been allocated to boost surveillance and security.
According to Shah, these measures have already increased pressure on illegal infiltrators, with reports suggesting that some are returning on their own due to stricter monitoring along the border.
He also mentioned that detention centres are being developed to deal with illegal immigration cases more effectively. In addition, he said work on fencing along the India–Bangladesh border, which had been pending for a long time, is expected to resume soon to close gaps used for infiltration.
Reaffirming the government’s stand, Shah said that every illegal immigrant will be identified and sent back.
On the other hand, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has also made strong remarks on the issue, calling for strict action against alleged illegal Bangladeshi migrants living in the state.
Earlier this week, Adhikari said holding centres should be set up in every district to manage such cases. He added that police should avoid keeping illegal immigrants in regular jails and instead house them in separate facilities, saying it would reduce pressure on the prison system.
He also referred to existing laws under the Foreigners Act, saying they must be enforced properly. According to him, those identified as illegal immigrants should be sent back to Bangladesh, which he said should take responsibility for accepting them.
BSF Begins Fencing Work Along India-Bangladesh Border After 27 Km Land Handover