The West Bengal government has decided to hand over land to the Border Security Force (BSF) within 45 days to facilitate the installation of border fencing. The decision was taken on Monday during the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed state government. Among six resolutions adopted, the land transfer to BSF was a key item. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who recently took office as the state’s first BJP chief minister, announced the move after entering the state secretariat, Nabanna, for the first time.

Adhikari stated that the state’s demographic situation had changed and that the government had approved the transfer of land to the Union Home Ministry and BSF. He assigned the land and revenue secretary and the chief secretary to complete the process within 45 days. He also claimed that the previous government had obstructed land transfers to protect illegal infiltrators. The new administration, he said, would operate under the principle of “for the people, by the people, of the people,” pledging to work for all citizens regardless of political affiliation.

West Bengal shares a 2,217-kilometer border with Bangladesh, accounting for more than half of the total 4,096-kilometer India-Bangladesh boundary.