In a critical statement on December 29, 2024, Director General of West Bengal Police Rajeev Kumar assured that the tense situation in Bangladesh will not disrupt peace within the State. “We do not want individuals to exploit the ongoing issues in Bangladesh to instigate communal or security disturbances here,” he emphasized.
The DGP acknowledged the challenges of border management, noting that it falls under the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force. Despite some “lapses” that led to cross-border incursions, he affirmed that specialized teams have successfully apprehended and neutralized potential threats.
With a border length of approximately 2,216 km with Bangladesh, West Bengal has seen a rise in apprehensions of Bangladeshi nationals since the political unrest that began in August. This situation has raised security concerns around Kolkata and its surrounding areas.
Terrorism Arrests
Recently, West Bengal police uncovered a significant fake passport operation, resulting in multiple arrests. The force is also under scrutiny following the capture of an alleged militant tied to a Kashmir-based terror group in Canning.
Mr. Kumar detailed the operation that led to the militant’s arrest, stating, “We monitored the movements of the Kashmir militant for two days based on intel from our Special Task Force before coordinating with Kashmir Police.”
Regarding the fake passport issue, Mr. Kumar mentioned that the Ministry of External Affairs has reduced the police’s role in verification processes, prompting the West Bengal Police to advocate for a comprehensive review of passport verification protocols.
Enhancements in Passport Checks
Accompanied by Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma and Additional Director General Jawed Shamim, Mr. Kumar reiterated the West Bengal Police’s strong track record in addressing extremism and urged against sensationalizing police efforts.
In a related development, police apprehended the mastermind behind the fake passport scheme, identified as Manoj Gupta, a travel agent from Silpara, Behala. He has been remanded to police custody after appearing in Alipore Court.
The ongoing investigation has led to several arrests. The police discovered that Bangladeshi nationals used illicit identities to remain in India and travel internationally, seizing records linked to approximately 70 fraudulent passports.
Published – December 30, 2024 03:51 am IST
