Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday welcomed the West Bengal cabinet’s decision to hand over land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing the India-Bangladesh border, calling it a ‘historic step’ crucial for the security of Assam and the entire northeast.Addressing the media, Sarma said strict vigilance and closure of the border was essential to curb infiltration. “Our fight against infiltration always faced a problem because there was a huge gap in fencing between Bangladesh and West Bengal,” he said.Sarma said while many organisations in Assam have long demanded sealing of the border in the state, such efforts were incomplete without similar measures in West Bengal.“Five states share the India-Bangladesh border — Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and West Bengal. Of these, Assam has the smallest stretch, while West Bengal has the longest. Unless Bengal secures its border, the northeast will remain vulnerable,” Sarma said.According to Sarma, the West Bengal cabinet’s decision on Monday will allow the BSF to take possession of land within 45 days to erect fencing along an 800 km stretch. “This is very heartening news for the people of Assam because we are fighting infiltration, and this cannot be stopped without a nationalist govt in West Bengal,” he said.He added that the decision was “historic” and would reassure people across Assam and the wider region. “This decision of the West Bengal cabinet is very welcoming news for the people of Assam and the northeast,” Sarma said.
