Forty-five people were detained while trying to flee to Bangladesh across the border; political tensions are running high amid the SIR controversy.

Kolkata: Amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of voter lists across West Bengal and other states, the BSF has detained at least 45 people while they were attempting to flee to Bangladesh through the North 24 Parganas border. Among those arrested were 15 women and 11 children. The incident has triggered a fierce political confrontation.

The Border Security Force (BSF) intercepted the group at the Hakimpur border. Basirhat’s Superintendent of Police, Hossain Mehdi Rahman, stated that the detainees were attempting to enter Bangladesh without valid documents.

According to police sources, the arrested Bangladeshi nationals had been working in various parts of India, including Kolkata and Rajarhat. After being caught by the BSF, they were handed over to the local police. They were later produced before the Basirhat court and sent to 14 days of judicial custody. Just a day earlier, the BSF had detained 11 more Bangladeshi nationals, including four children, from the same district.

Political Tension over the SIR Process

The arrests have sparked a heated political debate. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) claimed that similar incidents are occurring in other states as well. According to the party, since border security falls under the jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry and the BSF, the Centre must take responsibility for the infiltration issue.

On the other hand, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari remarked, “New Market has become empty — more will leave in the next two to three days. Because of the SIR, not a single Bangladeshi name will remain on the voter list.” He further added, “Those who entered India through illegal routes are now fleeing through the same paths. Otherwise, as per Amit Shah’s directive, they will be detected, deleted, and deported.”