Villagers in Jayantipur, West Bengal, report movement restrictions, harassment by BSF

By A Representative

Residents of Jayantipur village in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, have raised concerns about restrictions on their movement and alleged harassment by the Border Security Force (BSF) stationed in the area. The village, located near the Indo-Bangladesh border, has been fenced off by BSF personnel, reportedly isolating around 30% of its population from essential services and the rest of the community.

The village, with a population of approximately 4,500, predominantly consists of minority OBC Muslim and Dalit (Scheduled Caste) communities. According to local reports, the fencing, constructed with bamboo and trees, was neither sanctioned by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) nor carried out in compliance with official procedures. Villagers allege they were compelled to participate in the construction, raising concerns about potential violations of labor rights.

Residents behind the fencing reportedly face daily challenges, including restrictions on basic activities like visiting neighbors, practicing religious customs, or hosting relatives. Permission letters, issued by local Panchayat authorities and approved by BSF personnel, are reportedly required for such activities. For example, a permission letter dated November 8, 2024, was needed for two individuals to visit their relatives in the village.

The restrictions have reportedly led to broader social and psychological impacts, particularly on the youth. Families claim that young women face stigmatization due to their location in a militarized zone, while children are said to experience distress from the constant presence of armed personnel.

Villagers also reported an incident in April 2024, when a family living behind the fencing was accused of smuggling activities. Despite multiple searches yielding no evidence, the family has allegedly been subjected to harassment and remains homeless.

Efforts to address the issues have reportedly been made, including meetings with BSF officials and complaints lodged with the District Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Officer. However, villagers claim no resolution has been achieved.

Residents are now urging authorities to relocate the BSF post to a non-residential area, ensure free movement within Indian territory, and address their grievances. They are also calling for an investigation into the legality of the fencing and the reported use of forced labor during its construction.

Kirity Roy, Secretary of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), has submitted a formal appeal to the National Human Rights Commission, requesting intervention to safeguard the villagers' constitutional rights and restore normalcy in the area.

The BSF and local administration have yet to issue a response to these allegations.

Comments

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

CFA flags ‘welfare retreat’ in Union Budget 2026–27, alleges corporate bias

By Jag Jivan The advocacy group Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA) has sharply criticised the Union Budget 2026–27 , calling it a “budget sans kartavya” that weakens public welfare while favouring private corporations, even as inequality, climate risks and social distress deepen across the country.

From water scarcity to sustainable livelihoods: The turnaround of Salaiya Maaf

By Bharat Dogra We were sitting at a central place in Salaiya Maaf village, located in Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh, for a group discussion when an elderly woman said in an emotional voice, “It is so good that you people came. Land on which nothing grew can now produce good crops.”

When free trade meets unequal fields: The India–US agriculture question

By Vikas Meshram The proposed trade agreement between India and the United States has triggered intense debate across the country. This agreement is not merely an attempt to expand bilateral trade; it is directly linked to Indian agriculture, the rural economy, democratic processes, and global geopolitics. Free trade agreements (FTAs) may appear attractive on the surface, but the political economy and social consequences behind them are often unequal and controversial. Once again, a fundamental question has surfaced: who will benefit from this agreement, and who will pay its price?

Penpa Tsering’s leadership and record under scrutiny amidst Tibetan exile elections

By Tseten Lhundup* Within the Tibetan exile community, Penpa Tsering is often described as having risen through grassroots engagement. Born in 1967, he comes from an ordinary Tibetan family, pursued higher education at Delhi University in India, and went on to serve as Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from 2008 to 2016. In 2021, he was elected Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), becoming the second democratically elected political leader of the administration after Lobsang Sangay.

From Puri to the State: How Odisha turned the dream of drinkable tap water into policy

By Hans Harelimana Hirwa, Mansee Bal Bhargava Drinking water directly from the tap is generally associated with developed countries where it is considered safe and potable. Only about 50 countries around the world offer drinkable tap water, with the majority located in Europe and North America, and a few in Asia and Oceania. Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, and Singapore have the highest-quality tap water, followed by Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the USA, Australia, the UK, Costa Rica, and Chile.

Territorial greed of Trump, Xi Jinping, and Putin could make 2026 toxic

By N.S. Venkataraman* The year 2025 closed with bloody conflicts across nations and groups, while the United Nations continued to appear ineffective—reduced to a debate forum with little impact on global peace and harmony.

Mark Tully: The voice that humanised India, yet soft-pedalled Hindutva

By Harsh Thakor* Sir Mark Tully, the British broadcaster whose voice pierced the fog of Indian history like a monsoon rain, died on January 25, 2026, at 90, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped investigative journalism. Born in the fading twilight of the Raj in 1935, in Tollygunge, Calcutta, Tully's life was a bridge between empires and republics, a testament to how one man's curiosity could humanize a nation's chaos.

Michael Parenti: Scholar known for critiques of capitalism and U.S. foreign policy

By Harsh Thakor* Michael Parenti, an American political scientist, historian, and author known for his Marxist and anti-imperialist perspectives, died on January 24 at the age of 92. Over several decades, Parenti wrote and lectured extensively on issues of capitalism, imperialism, democracy, media, and U.S. foreign policy. His work consistently challenged dominant political and economic narratives, particularly those associated with Western liberal democracies and global capitalism.

Search This Blog