Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has heightened security along the Satkhira border as large numbers of undocumented people reportedly gather near the frontier amid India’s ongoing revision of its special voter list.
Lt. Colonel Ashraful Haque, commander of 33rd BGB Battalion in Satkhira, said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) activities in West Bengal’s Basirhat subdivision, particularly at Tarali and Hakimpur border areas, have caused fear among local residents.
Many individuals lacking proof of citizenship are reportedly moving toward the border, prompting BGB to increase patrols and intelligence surveillance across the frontier, added the Commander.
The SIR program, conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), began on 4 November and will continue until 4 December.
A draft voter list is scheduled to be published on 9 December. During this period, BLOs are visiting households to verify nationality and voter eligibility.
According to BGB, the SIR initiative has sparked political tensions in West Bengal. The ruling Trinamool Congress and sections of Muslim population have opposed the program, while BJP has openly supported it.
Citizens of Bangladeshi origin, especially Muslim voters included in India’s voter lists after 2002, have reportedly expressed significant concern.
The BGB reported that on 1 November, Indian police detained 45 individuals and handed them over to BSF to be returned to Bangladesh.
However, they claimed Indian citizenship and were subsequently taken back to local police custody for nationality verification at Basirhat Subdivisional Court.
Allegations have also emerged that police and BSF unnecessarily harassed Indian Muslim citizens by labeling them as “Bangladeshi.”
Indian media reports indicate that hundreds of undocumented people, including women and children, are gathering daily near the Tarali and Hakimpur areas of Satkhira border.
Many are forced to spend nights in the open, facing shortages of food, water and winter clothing.
The situation is further aggravated as some local businesses refuse to sell food to them. Humanitarian aid, including dry food and water, has been provided by local representatives and volunteers.
Commander Lt. Colonel Ashraful Haque added that BGB has increased patrols, established special monitoring and intensified intelligence operations to mitigate potential cross-border impacts of India’s internal voter list revisions.
Local Ansar-VDP members and intelligence agencies have also been engaged in surveillance activities, he added.
In addition, BGB has consulted with local leaders, influential residents and border communities to raise awareness and solicit cooperation to maintain security and stability along the frontier.
ZR/SH
