During an administrative outreach programme at Malda’s DSA stadium, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to the people of Malda district to avoid confrontation with Bangladeshis along the border on Tuesday.
The comment comes amidst tension in the border district where the BSF’s efforts to secure unfenced stretches of the Indo-Bangla border have faced resistance from the neighbouring country.
“Do not engage in riots. There are ongoing issues in Bangladesh, but securing the border is the BSF's responsibility. If any injustice happens, we will address it,” said Banerjee. “If such situations arise, I direct the police to announce on loudspeakers, asking Indians to step back. The administration will handle the rest,” the chief minister added.
The chief minister, who is on a three-district tour, arrived in Malda from Murshidabad on Monday. She will next travel to Alipurduar district.
The border spans over 2,200 kilometres in West Bengal. In January, at Sukdebpur in Malda’s Kaliachak, the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) opposed fencing work by India’s Central Public Work Division (CWD).
Reportedly, common citizens living on the other side of the border in Bangladesh’s Chapai Nawabganj district also raised slogans demanding that India stop its fencing work, while Indian villagers countered with slogans supporting fencing.
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On January 18, tensions rose as Indians accused Bangladeshis of crossing the border to loot crops. In response, Bangladeshis allegedly gathered near the border and threw stones.
Banerjee hoped for the betterment of relationships between Indians and Bangladeshis but also alerted the crowd about anti-social elements and terrorists crossing the border illegally. She emphasised that such individuals must not be allowed to establish a foothold in the area, adding that peace is essential for development to thrive.
The chief minister once again spoke about the court verdict on the RG Kar rape and murder case, calling it a "rare, sensible and very very heinous crime". She reiterated her stance of capital punishment for Sanjay Roy, the guilty in the case.
"If someone is so brutal, monstrous, can society be humane," the CM asked in Malda. "We passed the Aparajita Bill in the assembly with death penalty. But the central government is sitting on it. We want this bill to be a model."
