Panic after announcement of SIR, 48 Bangladeshi infiltrators arrested trying to flee India

Kolkata, The announcement of SIR has created panic among Bangladeshi infiltrators in West Bengal. At least 48 Bangladeshi infiltrators were arrested while trying to illegally cross into the country from the Basirhat border area in North 24 Parganas district, a Border Security Force (BSF) official said on Sunday.

According to the official, these infiltrators were trying to leave India after the announcement of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in West Bengal. The official said that on Sunday, the BSF apprehended 33 Bangladeshis and handed them over to the Swarupnagar police station, while 15 others were arrested on Saturday night.

The BSF official said that the arrested people worked as domestic helpers and daily wage laborers in West Bengal and other states. They said they were trying to return to their country “due to fear of being detained or deported after the announcement of the SIR.” During the SIR, booth-level officers (BLOs) go door-to-door to verify voters' details.

‘SIR’ is synonymous with anxiety!

Meanwhile, in Birbhum, West Bengal, there is also panic over the SIR. This panic led to the suicide of Khitish Majumdar two days ago. Many people in Bandh Para and Nichu Para of Leleghar in Ilambazar are panicking and withdrawing all their savings from banks. A group of locals say, “If the SIR is implemented, our bank accounts will be closed. Then we won't be able to withdraw the money we've saved.”

On the other hand, some people are saying, “If the SIR is implemented, we may have to go to Bangladesh.” They are withdrawing money from banks due to this fear. Most of the people in this area are Hindus, but they do not have citizenship certificates under the CAA.

Furthermore, many in the frightened area have reported that their parents or grandparents came to India 30-35 years ago. At that time, they traveled from state to state in search of livelihood. Consequently, many lacked citizenship documents. Now, the lack of these documents is raising concerns.