Union Home Minister Amit Shah has issued a direct and stern warning to Bangladeshi infiltrators during an address in Ahmedabad, while he emphasized that illegal immigrants should return to their home country voluntarily to avoid legal repercussions. Shah noted that reports are already emerging of infiltrators leaving on their own accord, a significant shift from the previous administration's tenure where daily infiltration was a common occurrence. He stated that the environment has changed Notably, and the era of unchecked illegal entry is coming to an end.
Detention Centers and Legal Immunity
The Home Minister highlighted that the BJP government in West Bengal, under the leadership of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has already established detention centers to manage illegal immigrants. However, the government's preference is for these individuals to depart of their own volition to the places they originated from. Shah assured that if they choose to leave voluntarily before the formal identification campaign begins, the West Bengal government won't file any cases against them. On top of that, the administration is prepared to provide necessary assistance to facilitate their departure. He expressed hope that many would take this opportunity to leave before the identification drive intensifies.
Strict Action Against Infiltration
Recalling promises made during the Bengal assembly elections, Shah reiterated the government's commitment to identifying and removing every single infiltrator from the country. He mentioned that the administration became strict immediately after the government was formed in the state, while a pivotal moment occurred on May 26, when a High-Level Committee on Demographic Change was constituted by the Central Government. Following this development, illegal immigrants have reportedly started fleeing India, while shah emphasized that a period of strict action against illegal infiltration and the politics of demographic change has officially begun, with the Suvendu Adhikari government taking firm steps by constructing detention centers.
Border Fencing and Land Acquisition
Amit Shah lauded Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for his swift action regarding border security and infrastructure, while during the election campaign, the BJP had promised that if given the mandate, they would complete the remaining fencing work on the Bangladesh border within a few days. Fulfilling this commitment, the Suvendu Adhikari government handed over 600 hectares of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) within a span of just 7 days. On top of that, 121 hectares of land in the strategically sensitive Chicken's Neck area were also transferred to the BSF. This rapid land acquisition is seen as a major step in securing the international border and preventing further illegal crossings.