1 week ago
Shah Announces Tri-State Grid to Fortify Siliguri Corridor
The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow and important area connecting northeastern India with the rest of the country.
It is close to the borders of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Home Minister Amit Shah said India has created a security grid involving West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.
The plan includes more guards, monitoring and equipment at three bases.
These bases are in Chopra, Kishanganj and Dhubri.
Shah also launched new buildings and other facilities for the Sashastra Seema Bal.
He said 1,129 acres had been transferred for border fencing and security projects.
Shah praised Suvendu Adhikari for providing land and criticized Mamata Banerjee, whose response was not included in the reports.
Amit Shah said the Centre had created a triangular security grid around the Siliguri Corridor across West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.
The grid will increase surveillance, personnel and resources at bases in Chopra, Kishanganj and Dhubri.
The corridor connects India’s northeastern states with the rest of the country and lies near Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Shah launched Sashastra Seema Bal infrastructure projects at Ranidanga, including buildings, barracks and accommodation costing about ₹190 crore.
Shah praised Suvendu Adhikari over the transfer of 1,129 acres for border security and criticized Mamata Banerjee over earlier land delays.
- Who
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Sashastra Seema Bal, the Border Security Force, and the governments of West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.
- What
- The Centre announced a triangular security grid around the Siliguri Corridor and launched Sashastra Seema Bal infrastructure projects.
- Where
- The grid covers parts of West Bengal, Bihar and Assam, with bases at Chopra, Kishanganj and Dhubri; projects were launched at Ranidanga in Siliguri.
- When
- Friday, during Amit Shah’s visit to Siliguri.
- Why
- To strengthen security around a strategically important corridor near the international borders of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Centre and BJP account
Unanswered counterposition
Land for border security
Centre and BJP account
Amit Shah said the previous Mamata Banerjee government delayed providing land, including 560 acres sought for border-security work, and praised Suvendu Adhikari for facilitating the transfer of 1,129 acres.
Unanswered counterposition
The reports do not include a response from Mamata Banerjee or her government to Shah’s allegations.
Political participation in security events
Centre and BJP account
Shah said the SSB and BSF serve national security rather than any political party and criticized Mamata Banerjee for not attending invitations to SSB events.
Unanswered counterposition
The reports provide no explanation from Banerjee for her absence from those events.
Rule of law
Centre and BJP account
Shah claimed that the rule of law had returned to West Bengal after the BJP came to power.
Unanswered counterposition
The reports noted that Shah did not address alleged vandalism by ABVP workers at Jadavpur University.
Key facts
- Strategic area
- The Siliguri Corridor, also called the Chicken’s Neck, connects northeastern India with the rest of the country.
- Security grid
- The Centre’s triangular grid spans West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.
- Operating bases
- Enhanced surveillance, personnel and resources will operate from Chopra, Kishanganj and Dhubri.
- Nearby borders
- The corridor is near Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
- Infrastructure projects
- SSB projects launched at Ranidanga include administrative buildings, barracks, accommodation and a transit camp.
- Project cost
- About ₹190 crore is expected to be spent on the announced SSB infrastructure projects.
- Land transfer
- Shah said 1,129 acres had been made available for BSF and SSB border fencing and related security needs.
- Additional proposal
- An 80-acre administrative complex is planned in Siliguri.
Quotes
Amit Shah
India’s Union home minister
“The Narendra Modi government has recognised the importance of national security of the Siliguri Corridor very well. This is a sensitive stretch that connects eight states. It caters to three international borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. We have built a triangular grid to make Siliguri Corridor security fullproof. We have increased vigil, presence and resources from three bases at Chopra, Kishanganj and Dhubri.”
deccanchronicle.com
deccanchronicle.com
“We had become fed up, folding hands to Mamataji in getting land to fence borders. But we did not get our land. Once I even reached her office, following her expression of interest, to request her to allot land to BSF. She initially said ‘Yes’ but did not fulfill it till her ouster.”
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