West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Border Security Force (BSF) of aiding infiltrators to destabilize the state. On Thursday, Banerjee claimed that illegal intruders were being pushed into West Bengal and that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was being unfairly blamed for it.

“People are entering through BSF Islampur, through Sitai, through Chopra, we have news. Why are you not protesting? The border is in the hands of the BSF. If anyone thinks that they are intruding into Bengal and maligning the Trinamool, let them be warned that the Trinamool Congress does not do these things. Don’t abuse Trinamool by supporting the wrongdoings of BSF,” she stated at a press conference.

Reacting to her fresh attack, BJP leader Anirban Ganguly stated, “Mamata Banerjee is the only leader who has criticized and targeted the BSF. The issue with Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee is that the BSF has taken strict action against the networks involved in drug, human, and cattle trafficking, some of which are led by influential figures. We urge them to cooperate with the BSF, especially given the current situation in Bangladesh.”

Meanwhile, bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained since former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from power last August. India has urged Muhammad Yunus-led interim government to address attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee also criticized the Centre, calling its diplomatic response to the situation in Bangladesh “inadequate.” He urged state BJP leaders to push their central leadership to be more vocal about the atrocities on minorities in the neighboring country.

Banerjee remarked, “State BJP leaders who constantly criticize the TMC government and stage protests remain silent on the Narendra Modi government’s inadequate diplomatic response to the ongoing atrocities against Hindus and other communities in Bangladesh.”

The Diamond Harbour MP added, “If BJP leaders here are truly concerned about the torture and abuse of minorities in the neighboring country, why don’t they urge their government in Delhi to take appropriate action? They should ask the central leadership to speak out more forcefully on the situation in Bangladesh.”