Mamata calls for halt to infiltration via border districts

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday termed the state's districts bordering Bangladesh as "sensitive" and asked the district administrations concerned to monitor the border situation to stop infiltration.

Speaking at the districts' administrative meeting in Barasat -- the district headquarters of North 24 Parganas district -- she also expressed concern over the issue of cross-border smuggling, including cow smuggling, and said the administration has to be strict to check such incidents.

"North 24 Parganas is a sensitive district. A large part of it shares the border with Bangladesh. Keep an eye on areas like Basirhat and Bongaon, which are near the border, so that no one can illegally enter and trigger a problem," Banerjee said.

She asked the local police to work in sync with the sub-divisional officers to effectively handle any unpleasant situation.

"Cows are brought in from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and are smuggled through the bordering districts to Bangladesh. This has to be stopped," she said.

Banerjee also announced the formation of two new police districts in Barasat and Basrihat under North 24 Parganas district for better management of the law and order situation.

--IANS

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