Infiltration from Bangladesh must be stopped to establish peace in Bengal: Amit Shah

Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that peace can be established in West Bengal only when cross-border infiltration from Bangladesh stops, reports NDTV.

Slamming the TMC government over the issue of corruption, the minister said illegal immigration from the neighbouring country will be stopped if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal in 2026.

"In establishing peace in the region, land ports play an important role. When there is no scope for the legal movement of people across the border, illegal modes of movement arise, which impacts the peace of the country. I urge the people of Bengal to bring in change in 2026, and we will stop infiltration, and peace will come," he said while inaugurating ‘Maitri Dwar’, a joint cargo gate, and a new passenger terminal building at Petrapole land port along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal.

"There can be peace in Bengal only when infiltration stops... Land ports play an important role in improving connectivity and relations between the two countries. They also enhance trade relations between the two nations," he added.  

The Benapole (Bangladesh)-Petrapole (India) border is a crucial link between the two countries for both trade and people movement.

Nearly 70 per cent of land-based trade (by value) between India and Bangladesh occurs through this land port.