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Published : 12 May 2026, 06:19 PM
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has downplayed recent remarks by West Bengal’s newly elected Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on building barbed-wire fencing along the Bangladesh border.
On Tuesday, he said the government will only engage in diplomatic discussions if the decision comes from India’s central government.
Speaking at the Secretariat, Salahuddin addressed concerns over the West Bengal cabinet’s decision to hand over land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing.
"We maintain relations with other countries based on sovereignty," the minister said.
"The results of an election in a state of another country are their internal matter. If they wish to erect a fence within Indian territory while maintaining the 'no man's land', that would be a matter for diplomatic discussion. But we have not practically seen any such move from the Indian central government. It must be communicated by their centre first."
The remarks came a day after the BJP government, which assumed power in India’s West Bengal state for the first time, announced plans to expedite land transfer for border fencing.
Following the first cabinet meeting on Monday, Adhikari said the state government had approved the land transfer process within 45 days required by the BSF to secure the border.
Responding to a question on reports of alleged persecution of minorities in West Bengal, Salahuddin said some old visuals were circulating on social media.
“However, our border authorities are alert so that no push-in can take place. We have not received any information suggesting anyone has been persecuted there,” he said.
The minister was speaking after a law-and-order meeting before Eid-ul-Azha.
He said authorities would take strict measures to stop extortion around cattle markets during Eid.
“We know from previous years that extortion took place involving vehicles and vessels carrying sacrificial animals. Hotline numbers of different forces will remain active so that immediate action can be taken,” he said.
Salahuddin also said the government had taken measures to ease congestion on highways during Eid travel.
“These arrangements are aimed at ensuring safe Eid journeys,” he said.
He added that discussions had been held with garment factory owners to ensure workers receive wages and allowances before Eid.
“We have spoken with representatives of BKMEA, BGMEA, workers’ federations and banks, requesting cooperation from all sides. There are some sick industries and some closed factories, and we have asked them to discuss possible measures regarding those,” he said.
On rawhide prices during Eid, the minister said the commerce ministry would hold another meeting with tannery owners to fix a reasonable price.
He also said the prime minister had approved Tk 200 million to ensure free salt distribution at the Upazila level for preserving sacrificial hides.
Addressing a comment from the Leader of the Opposition regarding rising extortion, the home minister invited the opposition to provide specific data.
"If the Leader of the Opposition has a ledger or evidence of increased extortion, I request it be shared with me so we can take immediate action," he said.
