West Bengal farmers allege illegal land encroachment by BSF near border with Bangladesh

By Kirity Roy*

In a troubling report from North 24 Parganas, two farmers—Abdur Rauf Gayen from Swarupdaha village and Saharab Sardar from Hakimpur village (photos)—are facing criminal trespassing and forceful land acquisition attempts by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. They claim these actions violate Articles 21 and 300A of the Constitution of India.

The affected farmers, Gayen, son of Abul Hosen Gayen, and Sardar, son of the late Mahasin, depend on their agricultural lands as their primary source of income. Together, they cultivate a total of 56 decimal of land located approximately 1.5 kilometers from the Hakimpur bus stand.

Both villages are situated near the Indo-Bangladesh border along the Sonai River, with the jurisdiction of the Swarupnagar police station. While the BSF previously operated near the riverbank, they have recently relocated closer to Hakimpur, raising concerns among local residents.

On October 3, 2023, Gayen and Sardar filed a complaint with the Swarupnagar police against the 112 Battalion BSF NAGA Company, based at the Tarali Border Out Post (BOP). They alleged that BSF personnel attempted to forcibly occupy their land to construct a temporary check post and subsequently threatened them when they tried to prevent the encroachment by erecting a boundary wall.

The matter is currently pending in the High Court of Calcutta, following the filing of Writ Petition WPA 24840/2023, which was affirmed on October 12, 2023. Despite this legal action, the situation escalated when, on July 17, 2024, the Company Commander of the 143 Battalion BSF again sought to take measurements on the same land without the owners' consent.

Both Gayen and Sardar claim they have faced ongoing harassment from BSF personnel, jeopardizing their livelihoods. In response to the continued encroachment, the farmers lodged a formal complaint with the Officer In Charge at Swarupnagar police station on July 19, 2024.

They also submitted grievances to senior BSF officials and local authorities via speed post on August 11, 2024, but no action has been taken by the respective authorities.

These allegations highlight a serious concern regarding criminal trespass, as defined under Section 329(1) of the Indian Penal Code.

Given these circumstances, the farmers are calling for urgent intervention with specific demands:

Immediate cessation of all attempts by BSF personnel to seize their land.
The registration of a specific criminal case against the Commandant of the 112 BN BSF and the Company Commander of the Tarali BOP for their involvement in the alleged land grabbing.
Accountability for the Officer in Charge of Swarupnagar police station for failing to act on a cognizable offense.
A directive for the BSF to operate solely within the actual International Boundary Pillar (IBP) to monitor and control illegal cross-border trafficking, rather than encroaching on village lands.
Assurance that the farmers can cultivate their agricultural lands without interference from BSF personnel.
Justice and compensation for both farmers from BSF authorities.
Transparent legal processes should they require the land for governmental purposes, ensuring lawful acquisition and adequate rehabilitation for the farmers.

The situation remains tense as the farmers seek resolution and protection of their rights amidst ongoing threats to their livelihood.

---

*Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM). This article is based on the author's representation to the National Human Rights Commission chairperson

Comments

70,000 migrants, sold on Canadian dream, face uncertain future: Canada reinvents the xenophobic wheel

By Saurav Sarkar* Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

Kerala government data implicates the Covid vaccines for excess deaths

By Bhaskaran Raman* On 03 Dec 2024, Mr Unnikrishnan of the Indian Express had written an article titled: “Kerala govt data busts vaccine death myth; no rise in mortality post-Covid”. It claims “no significant change in the death rate in the 35-44 age group between 2019 and 2023”. However, the claim is obviously wrong, even to a casual observer, as per the same data which the article presents, as explained below.

PM-JUGA: Support to states and gram sabhas for the FRA implementation and preparation and execution of CFR management plan

By Dr. Manohar Chauhan* (Over the period, under 275(1), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided fund to the states for FRA implementation. Besides, some states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra allocated special fund for FRA implementation. Now PM-JUDA under “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan(DAJGUA) lunched by Prime Minister on 2nd October 2024 will not only be the major source of funding from MoTA to the States/UTs, but also will be the major support to the Gram sabha for the preparation and execution of CFR management Plan).

Operation Kagar represents Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism: Resistance continues

By Harsh Thakor Operation Kagar represents the Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism, which claims to embody the struggles and aspirations of Adivasis. Criminalized by the state, the Maoists have been portrayed as a threat, with Operation Kagar deploying strategies that jeopardize their activities. This operation weaves together economic, cultural, and political motives, allegedly with drone attacks on Adivasi homes.

How Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar reflects frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion, empowerment

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains the liberator and emancipator of India’s oppressed communities. However, attempts to box him between two Brahmanical political parties betray a superficial and self-serving understanding of his legacy. The statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha was highly objectionable, reflecting the frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion and empowerment.

This book delves deep into Maoism's historical, social, and political dimensions in India

By Harsh Thakor* "Storming the Gates of Heaven" by Amit Bhattacharya is a comprehensive study of the Indian Maoist movement. Bhattacharya examines the movement's evolution, drawing from numerous sources and showcasing his unwavering support for Charu Mazumdar's path and practice. The book, published in 2016, delves deeply into the movement's historical, social, and political dimensions.

Ideological assault on dargah of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti will disturb pluralistic legacy: Modi told

Counterview Desk Letter to the Prime Minister about "a matter of the utmost concern affecting our country's social fabric": *** We are a group of independent citizens who over the past few years have made efforts to improve the deteriorating communal relations in the country. It is abundantly clear that over the last decade relations between communities, particularly Hindus and Muslims, and to an extent Christians are extremely strained leaving these latter two communities in extreme anxiety and insecurity.

Defeat of martial law: Has the decisive moment for change come in South Korea?

By Steven Lee Late at night on December 3, soldiers stormed into South Korea’s National Assembly in armored vehicles and combat helicopters. Assembly staff desperately blocked their assault with fire extinguishers and barricades. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol had just declared martial law to “ eliminate ‘anti-state’ forces .”

Search This Blog