Where AIMIM won, there is opposition to the construction of army base, Congress is supporting; What is cooking in Kishanganj?

Bihar News: Kishanganj district of Bihar is very sensitive in terms of strategic security. It is located near the borders of Bangladesh and Nepal. The area has long been infamous for smuggling of drugs, weapons, cattle, gold and coal. It is considered the safest and most important route for Bangladeshi infiltrators to enter India. The population of this area has also changed significantly in the last four decades.

The population of Muslims in this district is 70 percent. Due to security concerns, the Border Security Force (BSF) had set up a base here a decade ago. Now, 250 acres of land is to be acquired to open military stations in Shatbitta and Natuapara villages of Bahadurganj and Kotdhaman. However, even before the land acquisition was completed, the villagers started protesting against it. This protest is getting support from AIMIM MLAs and Congress leaders. However, the leaders claim that they are just conveying the demands of the villagers to the government.

Is Kishanganj so sensitive?

Kishanganj shares its border with neighboring Nepal and the Bangladesh border is about 20-22 kilometers away. Siliguri Corridor (Chicken Neck) is also nearby. This is the reason why Bangladeshi infiltrators find it easy to enter India through this route. Many times anti-national elements have also been caught here. Infiltrators easily mix into the local population. The minority population has reached 70 percent in the last four decades. Before the assembly elections, names of 1.45 lakh voters were removed from the voter list in this area.

Smugglers’ ‘Safe Zone’ This is Kishanganj!

Due to its proximity to the Bangladesh border, cattle smuggling also takes place on a large scale. Coal from Assam is also easily smuggled and distributed in the region. Many organized gangs are active here, which help in the movement of goods for illegal traders. The members of these gangs also enjoy the protection of influential politicians. Some time ago, a team of Special Task Force (STF) had seized a huge consignment of weapons here.

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This main leader was a resident of Ara in Bihar. People involved in drug trafficking are often caught. A few days ago, two smugglers were caught with gold worth crores of rupees. One of them was from West Bengal and the other was from Maharashtra. People involved in illegal activities are also worried that the construction of the military station will stop their illegal business. Delegation of MLAs met Nitish

MLA met Nitish Kumar

A five-member delegation of MLAs led by AIMIM state president Akhtarul Iman met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar regarding the construction of the proposed military station in Kochadhaman and Bahadurganj. The delegation included MLAs Sarwar Alam (Kochadhaman), Murshid Alam (Jokihat), Ghulam Sarwar (Baisi) and Tausif Alam (Bahadurganj). The MLAs requested CM Nitish Kumar to consider the fact that farmers in this area have small lands. If the land is acquired, farmers will face starvation. Therefore, the military station should be constructed in some other area. It is noteworthy that when BSF was building its base here, some leaders had protested, but due to administrative strictness, the opposition of the leaders subsided.

AIMIM MLA during meeting with Nitish Kumar (Source- Social media)

Home Minister continues to keep a close watch

Home Minister Amit Shah is keeping a close watch on this area. He visited the area on September 24, 2022, on a two-day visit. He also held a meeting with BSF officials regarding border security. The Home Minister had indicated at that time that this area was very sensitive from security point of view due to its proximity to the Bangladesh and Nepal borders. He had stressed the need for a military station here. He had expressed concern about the security of Seemanchal region in a meeting in Araria during the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections.

Kishanganj MP meets Defense Minister

Kishanganj MP Javed Azad and Kishanganj MLA Kamrul Hooda met the farmers of Bahadurganj and Kochadhaman. He assured the farmers that he has informed Defense Minister Rajnath Singh about their problems. The Defense Minister has assured him that he will look into the matter. He has also written a letter to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar regarding the problems of farmers. These leaders expressed hope that the problem would be resolved soon. Meanwhile, Kishanganj District Magistrate says that the farmers have also given him an application, and he is looking into the matter.