Kolkata: A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attended a programme in Sandeshkhali, senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday held a rally at the same place and accused her government of framing false charges against women in the area for protesting against the alleged misdeeds by local TMC leaders.
Addressing a public meeting on the island, situated on the borders of the Sundarbans, in North 24 Parganas district, Adhikari, the leader of opposition in the assembly, described Banerjee as a person “with mischievous intent”.
He vowed to constitute an inquiry commission to probe into alleged atrocities by local TMC leaders if the BJP comes to power in the 2026 assembly polls.
Adhikari said, “The West Bengal government is obstructing the land acquisition process to build Border Outposts (BOPs) and fences to secure the border. While the central government is willing to bear all expenses, the state government is deliberately not providing the land.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader noted that 456.474 km of the border is feasible for fencing, but land acquisition cases remain unresolved for 284.56 km. He also highlighted delays in 17 land acquisition cases for BOPs and 11 key location plans required for headquarters.
Additionally, he raised concerns about 569.254 km of the border still being unsecured, with significant portions vulnerable to infiltration and smuggling. “In Bengal, 95 villages are situated ahead of fences, which are the source of infiltration and trans-border crimes. Despite repeated requests, the state government has not made any effort to shift any of these villages,” Adhikari stated.
The BJP leader also accused the state police of failing to cooperate with the Border Security Force (BSF) in addressing cross-border crimes. “The West Bengal Police hardly participates in any joint operation. In border-related incidents involving miscreants, the police remain reluctant to lodge FIRs,” he alleged.
Adhikari further claimed that cattle smuggling is rampant in the region, facilitated by 83 cattle markets located within 50 km of the border. “Despite many requests, no cattle haat have been shifted,” he said, adding that trans-border criminals often operate under the protection of the ruling party.
Responding to these allegations, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) dismissed them as “baseless.” A TMC spokesperson remarked, “The state government has provided all possible help to the BSF and other central agencies. Adhikari is trying to pin blame on the state government to divert attention from the failures of the central government.”
Adhikari also revealed that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has urged the West Bengal government to prevent the issuance of fake Aadhaar cards and suggested maintaining biometric data of apprehended infiltrators.
