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Published : 21 May 2026, 02:23 AM
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced the commencement of the process to implement the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 in India's West Bengal immediately upon coming to power following a sweeping victory in the state elections.
Anandabazar Patrika reports that following a meeting with the cabinet at Nabanna, the state's secretariat and chief administrative office, on Wednesday, new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that those who are not covered under the CAA will be arrested and handed over directly to the Border Security Force (BSF).
He claimed that the previous state government had failed to implement the directive sent to West Bengal by the central government last year.
Coming to power in the state for the first time, the BJP government has implemented the CAA law, he added.
According to Anandabazar's report, Suvendu had gone to North Bengal on Wednesday. Upon returning from there, he spoke to journalists at Nabanna. BSF officials were also present with him.
The chief minister also handed over 27km of state land to the BSF to erect barbed-wire fencing at the border on this day. Following this, he spoke out about infiltration.
He said, “We will secure the state and the country by forging a strong bond with the BSF.
“A directive was sent by the government on 14th May, 2025, to hand over illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators directly to the BSF. The previous government, on the one hand, opposed granting CAA (protection) to refugees. On the other hand, it did not utilise this vital law. From today, we have implemented this law.”
Suvendu explained, “According to the CAA law, people from seven communities are covered under the Citizenship Amendment Act.
“Those who have arrived in this state up to 31st December of 2024 cannot be harassed or detained by police. However, those who are not included in the CAA are completely illegal infiltrators.
“Arrangements will be made to expel them from the country after holding talks with the BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh). In the interest of the country and the state, I have implemented the law in all border-adjacent police stations.”
Suvendu added that the necessary instructions in this regard have also been given to the director general (DG) of the state police and the chief secretary.
