Border fencing, BSF restrictions, smuggling plague lives of 164 villagers in North 24 Parganas

By A Representative

The Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), a prominent human rights organization, has urgently appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to address the severe human rights violations and security crisis faced by the residents of Kashipur village in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. In a detailed letter to the NHRC Chairperson, MASUM highlighted the dire living conditions of the 42 families (comprising 164 individuals) trapped between border fencing and the international border with Bangladesh.

Kashipur village, situated on the banks of the Kotla River, is geographically isolated, surrounded by the river and Bangladesh to the north and east, and border fencing constructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the Border Security Force (BSF) to the south and west. The fencing, erected approximately one kilometer inside the international border, has cut through farmland, severely disrupting the livelihoods of the predominantly OBC Muslim and Scheduled Caste Hindu communities.

The BSF’s presence has turned the village into a virtual prison. Residents must seek permission for social gatherings, including weddings, and even close relatives are denied entry without approval from BSF officials. The restriction on carrying or consuming beef has disproportionately affected the Muslim community, raising concerns about communal discrimination.

Access to healthcare, a fundamental right, has become a privilege dictated by BSF personnel. Pregnant women, the elderly, and critically ill individuals have faced life-threatening delays at BSF checkpoints, resulting in preventable deaths. The villagers’ right to life and personal liberty, enshrined in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, is being blatantly violated.

The Kotla River has become a hub for smuggling activities, with ganja, Phensedyl syrup, and gold being trafficked between India and Bangladesh. Human trafficking and border trespassing are also rampant. Shockingly, MASUM’s letter alleges that middlemen and smugglers operate in collusion with BSF personnel, raising serious questions about the force’s commitment to border security.

MASUM has posed critical questions:

- Who are the real players behind the smuggling cartel?

- Why are illegal activities thriving despite heavy BSF presence?

- Is the BSF’s primary duty to secure the border or to harass innocent citizens?

The BSF’s actions violate multiple constitutional rights, including the right to equality (Article 14), freedom of movement (Article 19(1)(d)), and the right to life (Article 21). The Border Security Force Act, 1968, limits the BSF’s jurisdiction to the border and prohibits interference in civilian life, yet these provisions are being ignored. India’s commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) are also being undermined.

MASUM has called for immediate intervention by the NHRC, including:

1. Deployment of BSF personnel directly at the international border (“zero point”) to curb smuggling and restore normalcy.

2. Acquisition of land between the fencing and the border, with fair compensation for landowners.

3. An independent investigation into human rights violations by BSF personnel.

4. Dismantling of unauthorized gates and checkpoints restricting villagers’ movement.

5. Restoration of free access to healthcare and essential services.

6. Compensation and protection for affected families, along with livelihood support.

7. An inquiry into the alleged nexus between BSF personnel and smugglers.

Kirity Roy, Secretary of MASUM, emphasized that the residents of Kashipur deserve to live with dignity, safety, and freedom. “These citizens are being treated as prisoners in their own homeland. We urge the NHRC to act with urgency and compassion to address this humanitarian crisis,” he stated.

The letter also included a detailed list of the 42 affected families, highlighting their hardships and the urgent need for intervention. MASUM’s appeal underscores the broader challenges faced by border communities, where security measures often come at the cost of human rights and dignity.

As the NHRC considers this plea, the plight of Kashipur’s residents serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between national security and the protection of fundamental human rights.

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