Amit Shah: Mamata government refused land for fencing, shielded ‘syndicate raj’
Amit Shah, who is on a three-day visit to West Bengal, further alleged that Mamata Banerjee did not attend any Sahastra Seema Bal function in the last 15 years.
4 min readKolkataUpdated: Aug 22, 2026 05:48 AM IST
Amit Shah alleged that Mamata Banerjee had never attended a function of central paramilitary forces such as the SSB or the Border Security Force. (File Photos)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a three-day visit to West Bengal, lashed out at former chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee for allegedly delaying land allotment needed for border fencing. He also claimed the previous TMC government did not notify the new criminal laws in the state to protect the “syndicate raj”.
“I had been asking for 1,129 acres of land from 2014. I was tired of holding hands and feet. But she did not give the land,” Shah said at a function organised by the Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Siliguri.
Shah then praised Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, saying, “Now, the state government’s permission comes with just a phone call. The letter is sent later.”
He further alleged that Banerjee did not attend any SSB function in the last 15 years. The SSB sent invitations, but she never responded, he claimed. Shah said that Banerjee had never attended a function of central paramilitary forces such as the SSB or the Border Security Force. He emphasised that these agencies are not aligned with any political party or ideology and are neutral in safeguarding the nation.
Shah laid the foundation stones of several key border‑security projects and later joined SSB jawans for lunch.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Siliguri Corridor, Shah said 560 acres of land were required to secure the Chicken’s Neck—the corridor in Bengal that connects the northeastern states with the rest of India—and Adhikari had granted approval. He added that a triangular security grid would be established for the area. The entire corridor is being monitored from three bases—Chopra, Kishanganj and Dhupguri—Shah said.
Shah also alleged that the previous Mamata-led TMC government did not notify the new criminal laws passed by Parliament, alleging that it wanted to protect the “syndicate, cut-money and extortion regime”.
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He asserted the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), implemented by the Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government, was a “decisive” step towards “replacing the environment of fear (bhoy) with that of trust (bharosa)”.
The BNS, BNSS and the BSA, which came into effect in the country on July 1, 2024, replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
Addressing a gathering in Siliguri where Shah inaugurated an exhibition on the three criminal laws, he said, “While the entire country had begun implementing the new criminal laws, Banerjee never notified them. She knew that the laws would sound the death knell for her syndicate, cut-money and extortion regime.”
The Union home minister said Suvendu Adhikari signed the file for notifying the new laws as one of his first moves after taking charge as chief minister, enabling replacement of the British-era laws in the state. “You will now see how the three new criminal laws will protect citizens and safeguard property. These laws will ensure that justice can be delivered even up to the Supreme Court within three years. The Bengal Police will do what is required,” Shah said.
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Asserting that the BJP government has brought in the rule of law in the state, Shah claimed the regime change in Bengal and the introduction of various new rules have brought about positive changes in people’s everyday lives. “Earlier, all you could hear was the sound of bombs,” he said as he took a swipe at previous administrations, alleging the “cadre raj” during the Left Front’s rule was replaced by “goonda raj” under the Trinamool Congress. With PTI Inputs
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
