Bamboo Barriers, Real Risks: What News18 Found At Unfenced Bengal-Bangladesh Border

Final Up to date:February 01, 2026, 05:21 IST

News18 visited unfenced border areas in Nadia district, particularly the Ranaghat-Duttaphulia area, positioned just a little over two hours from Kolkata

Past the bamboo limitations lies the no-man’s land, adopted by Bangladesh, making the vulnerability much more obvious. Picture/News18

The Calcutta Excessive Courtroom has directed the West Bengal authorities handy over land in particular areas to the Border Safety Drive (BSF) by March 31 to allow the development of fencing alongside the worldwide border. West Bengal shares an roughly 2,217-km border with Bangladesh, of which greater than 500 km stays unfenced.

For years, there have been allegations that prison actions and infiltration happen by these unfenced stretches. The BJP has repeatedly raised this concern, claiming that the state authorities shouldn’t be offering land for fencing, regardless of it being a safety necessity.

To know the bottom actuality, News18 visited unfenced border areas in Nadia district, particularly the Ranaghat–Duttaphulia area, positioned just a little over two hours from Kolkata. A powerful BSF presence was seen alongside the border. Nevertheless, when News18 reached the unfenced space of Kalopur Uttarpara, disturbing visuals emerged.

There was no everlasting fencing in place. As an alternative, the BSF had put in makeshift bamboo constructions, which could be simply damaged. These fragile preparations clearly spotlight the pressing want for correct fencing within the area. Past the bamboo limitations lies the no-man’s land, adopted by Bangladesh, making the vulnerability much more obvious.

Though BSF posts and common monitoring exist, the absence of everlasting fencing poses severe safety considerations.

Native resident Shyamal Biswas, whose home is positioned proper subsequent to the unfenced border, has been dwelling there for the previous 70 years. Talking with News18, he mentioned, “We dwell in concern. What if one thing occurs? Typically folks from the opposite facet create issues. Infiltrators come in the course of the night time. Earlier, cattle smuggling used to occur regularly, although it has decreased now. The BSF is current, however it’s nonetheless worrying. Everlasting fencing is required.”

It’s not simply Shyamal Biswas—nearly each villager expressed related considerations, saying they dwell with fixed uncertainty.

One other villager, Ananda Roy, advised News18, “Now we have change into habituated to this example. Some individuals who got here from the opposite facet have even made id playing cards right here. Many individuals went again due to SIR. Fencing is the necessity of the hour. We all know that land has been handed over in some locations and will likely be handed over in others, however the state of affairs on the opposite facet shouldn’t be good. Everlasting fencing is required as quickly as attainable.”

Villagers additionally complained that smugglers usually try to chop the wires even in areas the place correct fencing exists.

Girls from the village echoed related considerations. Anita Kundu, a member of the Matua group who migrated from Bangladesh in 1971, advised News18, “We got here right here in 1971. Now we have every thing right here, and we’re Indians. However unlawful actions proceed in and round this space as a result of there is no such thing as a fencing. Take a look at this makeshift bamboo construction—anybody can break it.”

The state of affairs shouldn’t be restricted to Kalopur Uttarpara. Close by areas similar to Barunberia and Silberia face related challenges. Regardless of heavy deployment of BSF personnel, unfenced stretches stay a straightforward route for infiltrators and smugglers, underlining the pressing want for everlasting border fencing.

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