Amit Shah Visits BSF Outpost, Reviews Security Along Bangladesh Border

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday reviewed security arrangements along the India-Bangladesh border during a visit to the Border Security Force's (BSF) 18th Battalion Border Outpost (BOP) near Siliguri , with the spotlight firmly on the strategically crucial Siliguri Corridor , also known as the "Chicken's Neck." The visit comes amid renewed efforts to strengthen border infrastructure and surveillance in one of India's most sensitive security zones.

At the BSF outpost, Shah addressed a Prahari Sammelan , interacted with security personnel, participated in a plantation drive , and inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several BSF infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing border management and operational readiness.

The Home Minister is also expected to chair a high-level meeting with West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal , Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh , BSF Director General Praveen Kumar , NIA Director General Rakesh Agarwal , Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta , North Bengal IG Sukesh Jain , and senior Intelligence Bureau officials. Discussions are likely to focus on border security, intelligence coordination and safeguarding critical infrastructure in North Bengal.

A key agenda is the Siliguri Corridor , a narrow 17-22 kilometre-wide land strip that serves as the only terrestrial link between mainland India and its eight northeastern states . Bordered by Nepal , Bangladesh and Bhutan , with the China-controlled Chumbi Valley lying close to its northern edge, the corridor is vital for the movement of civilians, military personnel, fuel, rail traffic and essential supplies. Any disruption could significantly impact connectivity and national security, making the region a top strategic priority.

The visit follows recent measures by the West Bengal government , which transferred 120 acres of land to the BSF for border fencing and handed over management of seven strategic highways in North Bengal to the Central Government to improve security coordination and infrastructure development.

West Bengal , which shares more than 2,200 kilometres of border with Bangladesh —the longest among Indian states continues to face challenges such as illegal infiltration, cross-border smuggling, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, cattle smuggling and counterfeit currency circulation . Strengthening surveillance and border infrastructure has therefore remained a major focus for the Centre.

Later in the day, Shah is scheduled to chair meetings at Uttarkanya on border management , implementation of the three new criminal laws , and the birth and death registration system before travelling to Kolkata , where he will also review the law and order situation in the state with senior officials on Sunday.