Fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border began on Friday in the Phansidewa area of Siliguri subdivision after the West Bengal government handed over 27 kilometre of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for border infrastructure and security projects.
Apart from the fencing stretch, additional land has also been allocated for Border Outposts (BOPs) and other BSF facilities. Officials believe the move will help strengthen surveillance and security arrangements along the sensitive international border, per a report by The Times of India.
Residents welcome fencing work
People living in the border villages said the project was a long-pending demand and expressed relief after the work finally started.
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“This is a border area where there was no security before. The environment here was so horrific before that I cannot describe it. Before, we couldn't even raise cows here. Raising cows was the same as surrendering ourselves to the Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. This was a matter of security not only for West Bengal but for the entire country,” resident Anil Ghosh told TOI.
Another local resident, Narayan Saha, said villagers had repeatedly demanded fencing in the area.
“We congratulate this government on the success and prosperity of the village, because we, living in a border area, have been relieved of so many hardships. We had asked for border fencing, but it wasn't done for some reason. All of us villagers are filled with joy. We can sleep peacefully,” Saha told ANI.
Land transfer and security focus
Per TOI, resident Shivam Modak described the fencing work as important for “national security” and said the lack of border protection had earlier created fear among locals.
“This is a matter of great joy. Previously, we felt very insecure because of the problem of animosity...this is a matter of national security,” Modak said.
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West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the land transfer process began after fresh coordination with Central agencies and added that the land would be formally handed over to the Ministry of Home Affairs within 45 days for completion of the fencing work.
