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

US-China truce temporary, larger trade war between two economies to continue

By Prabir Purkayastha The Trump-Xi meeting in Busan, South Korea on 30 October 2025 may have brought about a temporary relief in the US-China trade war. But unless we see the fine print of the agreement, it is difficult to assess whether this is a temporary truce or the beginning of a real rapprochement between the two nations. The jury is still out on that one and we will wait for a better understanding of what has really been achieved in Busan.

Mergers and privatisation: The Finance Minister’s misguided banking agenda

By Thomas Franco The Finance Minister has once again revived talk of merging two or three large public sector banks to make them globally competitive. Reports also suggest that the government is considering appointing Managing Directors in public sector banks from the private sector. Both moves would strike at the heart of India’s public banking system . Privatisation undermines the constitutional vision of social and economic justice, and such steps could lead to irreversible damage.

New RTI draft rules inspired by citizen-unfriendly, overtly bureaucratic approach

By Venkatesh Nayak* The Department of Personnel and Training , Government of India has invited comments on a new set of Draft Rules (available in English only) to implement The Right to Information Act, 2005 . The RTI Rules were last amended in 2012 after a long period of consultation with various stakeholders. The Government’s move to put the draft RTI Rules out for people’s comments and suggestions for change is a welcome continuation of the tradition of public consultation. Positive aspects of the Draft RTI Rules While 60-65% of the Draft RTI Rules repeat the content of the 2012 RTI Rules, some new aspects deserve appreciation as they clarify the manner of implementation of key provisions of the RTI Act. These are: Provisions for dealing with non-compliance of the orders and directives of the Central Information Commission (CIC) by public authorities- this was missing in the 2012 RTI Rules. Non-compliance is increasingly becoming a major problem- two of my non-compliance cases are...

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Political misfires in Bihar: Reasons behind the Opposition's self-inflicted defeat

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The Bihar Vidhansabha Election 2025 verdict is out. I maintained deliberate silence about the growing tribe of “social media” experts and their opinions. Lately, these do not fascinate me. Anyone forming an opinion solely on the basis of these “experts” lives in a fool’s paradise. I do not watch them, nor do I follow them on Twitter. I stayed away partly because I was not certain of a MahaGathbandhan victory, even though I wanted it. But my personal preference is not the issue here. The parties disappointed.

Shrinking settlements, fading schools: The Tibetan exile crisis in India

By Tseten Lhundup* Since the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala has established the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as the guardian of Tibetan culture and identity. Once admired for its democratic governance , educational system , and religious vitality , the exile community now faces an alarming demographic and institutional decline.

N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: CRZ nod is arbitrary, without jurisdiction

By Krishnakant* A case-appeal has been filed against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and others granting CRZ clearance for establishment of intake and outfall facility for proposed 6000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Mithi Virdi, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) vide order in F 11-23 /2014-IA- III dated March 3, 2015. The case-appeal in the National Green Tribunal at Western Bench at Pune is filed by Shaktisinh Gohil, Sarpanch of Jasapara; Hajabhai Dihora of Mithi Virdi; Jagrutiben Gohil of Jasapara; Krishnakant and Rohit Prajapati activist of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the MoEF&CC, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and case is kept for hearing on August 20, 2015. Appeal No. 23 of 2015 (WZ) is filed, a...

Sardar Patel was on Nathuram Godse's hit list: Noted Marathi writer Sadanand More

Sadanand More (right) By A Representative In a surprise revelation, well-known Gujarati journalist Hari Desai has claimed that Nathuram Godse did not just kill Mahatma Gandhi, but also intended to kill Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Citing a voluminous book authored by Sadanand More, “Lokmanya to Mahatma”, Volume II, translated from Marathi into English last year, Desai says, nowadays, there is a lot of talk about conspiracy to kill Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, but little is known about how the Sardar was also targeted.

Celebrating 125 yr old legacy of healthcare work of missionaries

Vilas Shende, director, Mure Memorial Hospital By Moin Qazi* Central India has been one of the most fertile belts for several unique experiments undertaken by missionaries in the field of education and healthcare. The result is a network of several well-known schools, colleges and hospitals that have woven themselves into the social landscape of the region. They have also become a byword for quality and affordable services delivered to all sections of the society. These institutions are characterised by committed and compassionate staff driven by the selfless pursuit of improving the well-being of society. This is the reason why the region has nursed and nurtured so many eminent people who occupy high positions in varied fields across the country as well as beyond. One of the fruits of this legacy is a more than century old iconic hospital that nestles in the heart of Nagpur city. Named as Mure Memorial Hospital after a British warrior who lost his life in a war while defending his cou...

Search This Blog