On Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari used his Diwali visit to a BSF camp in Hingalganj to acknowledge past tensions between the state government and the border force, offering an apology for the conduct of the previous Trinamool Congress administration.
Adhikari travelled by helicopter from Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport to the BSF camp in North 24 Parganas district.
Key Highlights
Addressing personnel, the Chief Minister said he regretted the way the force had been treated by the earlier government, including the language used against the BSF and CRPF. He said the people had delivered their response and invoked Swami Vivekananda’s message of leaving the past behind and moving forward.
CM Adhikari stressed the need to protect the country and secure its borders. He accused the previous administration of withholding land required to build fencing along the India-Bangladesh border, despite repeated requests from the Union government.
Stating that national security was the priority of his government, CM Adhikari said coordination with the BSF had improved, including through a coordination meeting. He added that the BJP government had taken several steps to strengthen border security since assuming office and pledged continued cooperation with the force.
The Chief Minister marked Diwali with BSF personnel, exchanging greetings and distributing sweets. It was his first such celebration at a BSF camp since taking charge of the state.
West Bengal Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta accompanied him during the visit.
CM Adhikari offered prayers at a puja pandal near Hingalganj police station before heading back towards Kolkata by helicopter from the college grounds.
Later in the afternoon, the West Bengal CM was likely to attend Kali Puja celebrations at several locations in Nandigram, East Midnapore, including an event at the local police station.
Earlier on Sunday, CM Adhikari had celebrated Diwali with security personnel at Kolkata airport, lighting ceremonial lamps, exchanging greetings and distributing sweets.
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