West Bengal SIR Process: The Basirhat and Swarupnagar borders of West Bengal have been in a state of flux for the past three days. As the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) process for voter lists began nationwide, dozens of Bangladeshi nationals were caught trying to leave India and return to their country. The BSF reported that at least 94 Bangladeshi nationals have been apprehended in the past three days while attempting to illegally return to Bangladesh through various routes.
94 arrested in three days, increased vigilance at the border.
According to reports, the BSF’s 143rd Battalion arrested 94 people from the Swarupnagar sector between Friday a Sunday.
On October 31, 11 people were arrested at the Bithari border and sent to 14-day judicial custody.
On November 1, 45 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended at the Tarali border.
On November 2 (Sunday), the BSF again arrested 38 people from the Bithari area.
All of them have been handed over to the police.
They had been living in India secretly for years
According to BSF sources, all the Bangladeshi nationals arrested had been living in various states of India for the past several years. They were working as domestic servants, laborers, and daily wage workers. As soon as the SIR process started, they started fearing that their identity would be revealed during door-to-door voter verification, so they all started trying to return to Bangladesh.
What is the SIR process ?
SIR (Special Intensive Revision) is a process of the Election Commission in which Booth Level Officers (BLOs) go door-to-door to verify voter information. During this process, information about those whose documents are found to be suspicious or who cannot prove their citizenship is sent to the relevant administration. This is why many Bangladeshi citizens living illegally are in a state of fear.
BSF Increases Surveillance, Police Launches Investigation
BSF officials stated that vigilance and patrolling have been increased in border areas due to the increasing number of cases. Currently, all arrested individuals are being interrogated to determine their length of stay in India and who assisted them. Sources indicate that several local agents and transport networks were also assisting these infiltrators, and action is now being taken against them.
Strikes against illegal infiltration, BSF maintains constant vigil
In the past month, the BSF has apprehended dozens of Bangladeshi citizens in North 24 Parganas district. Officials say that “border movement has increased unusually since the SIR process began. Many people are trying to return on their own out of fear.”
According to sources, many domestic workers have fled to Bangladesh following the announcement of the SIR. A large number of domestic workers have fled to Bangladesh from various areas in the border districts of North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, and Malda. Many women admitted that they are returning to Bangladesh and will return later.
People Withdrawing Money from Banks
Many residents of Ilambazar in Birbhum district have begun withdrawing all their deposits from banks. They fear that if the SIR is implemented, their bank accounts may be closed. Many fear that if their names are not included in the 2002 voter list, they may be deported to Bangladesh.
Two people have committed suicide in Birbhum and North 24 Parganas districts due to alleged fear of the SIR. In Cooch Behar, a man attempted suicide by consuming poison. A migrant worker from Jamalpur in Burdwan died in Tamil Nadu after falling ill due to alleged fear of the SIR.
Amit Malviya says Mamata Banerjee’s vote bank is fleeing.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya has claimed that those fleeing to Bangladesh are actually Mamata Banerjee’s vote bank. The Trinamool Congress has provided shelter and even political protection to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
The political temperature in West Bengal is rising over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has opposed the SIR from the beginning, but now that the Election Commission has confirmed that the process will be conducted in Bengal, the TMC has opened its front.
According to sources, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may take to the streets over the SIR issue. She is expected to hold a rally in Kolkata on November 4th. November 4th is the day when Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will distribute enumeration forms.
Just a day earlier, on October 31st, TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee convened an online meeting to brief party officials about their role in the SIR process. This process has sparked political controversy in West Bengal.
According to TMC insiders, the meeting focused on ensuring that no eligible voter’s name is removed from the voter list during the SIR process. The Election Commission has recently announced a special drive to update and correct voter lists, which will continue till the beginning of next year.
