Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday declared that the BJP would “drive out every single infiltrator” from West Bengal once it forms the next government, while inaugurating border infrastructure projects of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Bihar’s Araria district.
Addressing SSB personnel and local residents at Border Outposts Leti and Indarwa, Shah expressed confidence that the BJP would secure victory in the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal. “Elections are around the corner in West Bengal. I am confident that the BJP is going to win. Upon formation of the new government, we shall drive out every single infiltrator,” he said.
The Home Minister announced that a focused campaign against illegal infiltration would begin in Bihar’s Seemanchal region, which shares sensitive international borders. He said the exercise would involve coordination between the Union Home Ministry, Bihar Home Department, police and central agencies.
“Infiltrators will be identified and deported. All encroachments within 10 kilometres of the border will be removed as part of this campaign,” Shah said, adding that the plan would be finalised within days.
He maintained that infiltration posed a serious threat to national security and disrupted demographic balance by availing benefits meant for citizens. Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam, he noted, were particularly vulnerable.
Border infrastructure upgraded
During his visit, Shah inaugurated and laid e-foundation stones for several SSB infrastructure projects at the two border outposts in Araria. He underscored the SSB’s crucial role in guarding the 1,751-km India–Nepal border and the 699-km frontier with Bhutan, often under challenging conditions.
“We are guarding our border with a friendly country, but anti-national elements may attempt to exploit these routes. The SSB must remain vigilant and strengthen its intelligence network,” he said.
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He emphasised regular communication between security personnel and residents of border villages to ensure timely intelligence inputs and better coordination.
Review meetings and security focus
As part of his three-day visit to Bihar, Shah held meetings with district magistrates of border districts and reviewed development initiatives under the Vibrant Villages Programme. He also chaired a review meeting of the Land Port Authority of India at Kishanganj to assess land port infrastructure and measures to prevent illegal cross-border movement.
Officials discussed security arrangements along the India–Nepal and India–Bangladesh borders, demographic trends in border areas, and road connectivity in sensitive regions.
Shah began his address by paying tribute to freedom fighter and Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar on his death anniversary, crediting him with popularising the interpretation of the Revolt of 1857 as India’s First War of Independence.
The visit, he said, reflects the Centre’s resolve to tighten border management and address infiltration ahead of electoral and security challenges in eastern India.
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