Details:
- Location: Kaliachak, Malda district, West Bengal
- Issue: Continued border fencing by BSF despite BGB objections
- Area Affected: Sukdebpur area under Kaliachak 3 block
- Involved Parties: BSF (Border Security Force), BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh)
Relevance : GS 3(Internal Security)
Fencing and Border Control
- Fencing Efforts: The Central Public Works Division began erecting a fence in Sukdebpur area on Monday, a move opposed by the BGB.
- BSF’s Response: The BSF clarified that the fencing is being conducted well inside Indian territory, specifically in the South Bengal Frontier area.
- Reassurance: BSF officials assured that the situation was resolved and there was peace in the area.
Dispute Over Territorial Control
- BGB Allegations: Some reports in Bangladeshi press claimed that the BGB had taken control of a 5-km stretch of Indian land along the border.
- BSF Rebuttal: The BSF dismissed these reports as “baseless and irresponsible”, confirming that the contested area lies on the Indian side, specifically in Ranaghat village (North 24 Parganas district).
Political Context
- Impact of Bangladesh’s Political Situation: The controversy over border fencing has resurfaced amid political turmoil in Bangladesh, particularly following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime.
- Border Security: West Bengal shares a 2,216-km border with Bangladesh, and portions of this border remain unfenced, creating vulnerabilities such as smuggling and illegal activities.
Local Reactions
- BJP MLA’s Visit: On Wednesday, Swapan Majumdar, BJP MLA from Bongaon South, visited the Angrail area and engaged with BSF officials and villagers to discuss the ongoing border fencing issue.
Way Forward
- Strengthen Border Management: To curb the issues of smuggling and illegal migration, efforts should be focused on completing the fencing and improving surveillance along the India-Bangladesh border.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Continued diplomatic dialogue is necessary to resolve cross-border tensions and ensure that both Indian and Bangladeshi forces coordinate effectively.
- Addressing Misunderstandings: Both parties need to work towards clarifying territorial disputes and preventing misinformation, especially in sensitive border areas.
