South Dinajpur: Villagers express concerns over border fencing plan

PINAK PANI CHOWDHURY

BALURGHAT: Farmers in Bhulkipur, a small village on the India-Bangladesh border in South Dinajpur, are fearing that they would lose their due to the border fencing by the BSF.

They are concerned that a large portion of their farmland may fall beyond the fence, rendering them inaccessible.

Balurghat Police Station IC Sumanta Biswas along with other local cops have visited the area to address the villagers’ concerns. Discussions were held with both BSF officials and the villagers.

Expressing concerns, Suniram Hansda, a local farmer, said: “If the fencing is done as planned, many farmers will lose their land. We urge authorities to ensure that fencing work is done without harming farmland.”

Bhulkipur, under the Amritakhanda Gram Panchayat of Balurghat block, is home to 57 tribal families who depend entirely on agriculture for their livelihood.

Currently, a stretch of the border near the village remains unfenced. The BSF plans to secure this area. However, the work has been

stalled due to local resistance.

Villager Ramesh Tudu suggested: “Instead of fencing through our farmland, authorities should consider using barren lands.

This would ensure both our security and the protection of our fields.”

Villagers also raised concerns about compensation for land loss, which remains unclear. Meanwhile, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has stationed personnel near the village after learning about the BSF’s fencing plans.

The situation remains under close observation by BSF and police officials.