New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday inaugurated the Border Security Force (BSF)'s floating border outposts (BOPs) at Hingalganj in Sunderbans area of North 24 Parganas district. He flagged off a boat ambulance, as he arrived on a two-day visit to West Bengal, his first since the 2021 assembly elections. Notably, the Union Home Minister said that it is difficult to stop infiltration and smuggling at the border points without the local administration's support, news agency PTI reported.


As per officials, the boat ambulance is aimed at providing medical assistance in the isolated regions of the Sunderbans from Saheb Khali to Shamsher Nagar.

 

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Floating BOPs At Indo-Bangladesh Border


During the visit to Haridaspur BOP at the Indo-Bangladesh border, Amit Shah had lunch with BSF troops at Haridaspur BOP at the Indo-Bangladesh border.


He also interacted with senior BSF officials during the occasion.

Officials said that the number of floating BOPs has been increased with an aim to boost surveillance in the inaccessible areas of the Sunderbans.


Difficult To Stop Infiltration, Smuggling Without Local Administration's Support: Amit Shah


After inaugurating the floating BOPs, Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of the Maitri Sangrahalaya (museum) located at BOP Haridaspur. 


Addressing the event, Amit Shah said that the main reason behind the country's progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is that "our borders are safe."


"Being the Home Minister of the country, I am able to sleep peacefully because our jawans are protecting the country by being stationed on the border," he added.


He further mentioned that the bravery and dedication of BSF have earned the force one Maha Vir Chakra, four Kirti Chakras, 13 Vir Chakras, and 13 Shaurya Chakras to date.


"The main goal of the Modi government is to make the internal and external security of the country impenetrable. It is our goal to make available modern technology to BSF," the Union Home Minister said.


"Today three floating BOPs Sutlej, Kaveri, and Narmada have been dedicated to the nation. These BOPs are equipped with all modern facilities," he added.


The senior BJP leader said that kind of modern arrangements that have been made at the border point is enough to stop infiltration and smuggling.


However, in an apparent indirect dig at the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, Amit Shah said: "It is the job of the BSF to make this area impenetrable from smuggling and infiltration. However, this is difficult without the help of the local administration."


"But soon a political situation would come up wherein you will soon get that support due to public pressure," he added, as quoted by PTI.


The Union Home Minister also highlighted women's participation in the BSF saying, "Women are proudly serving Maa Bharati."


Day 2 Of Amit Shah's West Bengal Visit


Amit Shah arrived at the Kolkata airport in the morning, where he was received by senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik, and state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar.


He will also address a public meeting at 6:15 pm at Railway institute sports ground in West Bengal's Siliguri.


On Day 2 of the Bengal visit, the Home Minister will visit Teen Bigha and interact with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at BoP Jhikabari at around 9.30 am in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district.


The Home Minister will later hold a meeting with the MPs, MLAs, and state office-bearers of the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party at 2 pm on Friday at Hotel West in Kolkata.


The Home Minister's two-day visit to the state will culminate at a cultural event organised by the Ministry of Culture to celebrate the inclusion of Durga Puja on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage, at around 6 pm at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. 


(With Agency Inputs)