New Delhi, Mar 27, 2025, Special Correspondent

New Delhi, Mar 27: A strong demand for completion of fencing along the India-Bangladesh border on a war-footing was made in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday by Trinamool Congress member Sukhendu Sekhar Ray.

Through a Zero Hour notice, Ray said the total length of the India-Bangladesh border is 4,096.7 km, of which 865 km is yet to be fenced.

Pointing out that West Bengal, among all other states in India, has the longest land border with Bangladesh -- 2,217 km -- he asked the Centre to expedite the task.

The Border Guard of Bangladesh was creating unwarranted objections and problems, he said, adding that this was one of the major hurdles reportedly being faced in completing the feasible stretches of fencing projects.

Ray cited a recent problem created by the Border Guard of Bangladesh at Sukhdevpur in Malda district of West Bengal which was thwarted by local people with the help of police and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. Besides, there have been instances of people from across the border infiltrating into villages of Cooch Behar district, looting valuables and foodgrains, he noted.

"With the emerging situation in Bangladesh, the government is required to be more vigilant and adequate measures should be initiated on a war footing to complete the fencing of feasible stretches of the India-Bangladesh border," the TMC MP said.

He also said that the coastal guard and other authorities should also be more alert in the Sundarbans delta. In the interest of India's national security, an enhanced surveillance is needed along the maritime border of Bengal to curb illegal activities, he added.