West Bengal: "State govt not interested to cooperate" in land acquisition for BSF, alleges Suvendu Adhikari

"I gave out the details of how non-cooperation is being done (by the state government) with Centre and MHA... Joint meetings are not being held, no coordination with central government agencies, and police released all the 1500 intruders arrested by BSF last year and 1000 this year... The land has not been allotted for 17 BSF outposts, the resolution is being taken up in assembly against BSF and the additional DGP in charge (of West Bengal) is directly condemning BSF... Politics should be stopped for the sake of the country and the Bengali community," Adhikari alleged.

"The state police has failed to take necessary actions against transborder criminals. Many of these criminal elements are operating under the protection of the ruling party," he claimed.

The BJP leader further said the Central government is "trying hard" to cooperate with the West Bengal government.

"The Central Government has tried hard. The state government is not interested in cooperating with the central government," he added.

He further said that the total length of the International Border (IB) in State West Bengal is 2,216.7 km. Out of this, 1,647.446 km have already been covered with Border fence. However, in 569.254 km, fencing has not yet been completed.

"Of these remaining gaps, 456.474 km are considered feasible for fencing. Out of 456.474 km, presently, land acquisition cases are undergoing in 284.56 km for construction of fence which is important for preventing infiltration. There are total 133 Land Acquisition (LA) cases, covering an area of 284.56 km or 1422.81 acres. Out of these, 120 cases (255.42 Km / 1,350.19 acres) have received cabinet approval from the State Government. However, 03 cases (3.5 Km / 6.69 acres) are awaiting Cabinet approval from the State Government and 10 cases (25.64 Km / 65.94 acres) are still pending for submission to State Government.for approval due to want of revenue documents from the District LA authorities," he added.

He further alleged that in 18 cases (72.979 km), no land has been handed over to the BSF yet.

"For remaining 63 cases (143.405 km / 778.575 acres), where approval from State Government has been granted, payment could not be made due to slow pending valuation processes of Distt Land Acquisition authorities," he said.

Adhikari further claimed that total 17 land acquisition (LA) cases related to Border Outposts (BOPs) which are important for border protection are pending.

"Out of 10 cases which have received State Cabinet approval, in 04 cases where payment has been made, but land for BOP has not yet been handed over to BSF. Further, 06 cases are pending due to the pending land valuation. Two cases are still pending for State Cabinet approval and 05 cases are pending for revenue records," he claimed.

Adhikari also accused the state police of non-cooperation with the BSF in controlling cross-border crimes, particularly smuggling, cattle trafficking, and the movement of drugs like Phensedyl and Yaba tablets.

"Drug smuggling is another trans-border crime, where the drugs are brought near the border from the hinterland. However, State Police never checks the Pharma Shops in hinterland for Phensedyl/ Yaba tablets etc. as a deterrent to check their smuggling across the border to Bangladesh," he said.

Adhikari said that MHA has issued directions for the creation of a Border Protection Grid with the institutional mechanism of the District Level Standing Committee to meet on a Monthly Basis but the "state government is yet to implement the system of Monthly coordination. Meeting at District level which is to be attended by all the stakeholders to sort out/ resolve/ coordinate various operational and administrative issue related to border areas."

He further alleged that the state police has delayed filing the FIRs saying,"At times, the police officials decline to lodge the FIRs of BSF officials stating that BSF do not have jurisdiction to operate in hinterland thereby ignoring the fact that government of India has extended the area of jurisdiction of BSF under certain provisions up to 50 Kms from IB in many bordering states including West Bengal."

"BSF officials face significant challenges in lodging FIRs with local police. They are often made to wait for prolonged durations (6-10 hours) and asked to modify their complaints or provide personal documents like Aadhar cards, etc," he added.

Adhikari's remarks came amid growing concerns about infiltration and transborder crimes in the state.

Amid tensions in Bangladesh, the cross-border infiltration seems to have increased. To counter the same, the West Bengal police have told other investigative agencies about the shortcomings in the passport system, an official said on Sunday.

Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar said that West Bengal has fought with left and right-wing extremism and they will do it again to combat the illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. (ANI)