Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the job of the BSF was “quite difficult without the support of the local administration” before adding that it was a matter of time before a “conductive political situation” would emerge that would help the border guards prevent smuggling and infiltration at the India-Bangla border.

“You need the support of the local administration to curb such illegal practice... a conducive political situation will emerge soon. People will mount such pressure that the authorities would be compelled to extend support (to the BSF),” said Shah, while addressing a gathering of BSF officers and personnel at the Haridaspur border outpost in North 24 Parganas on Thursday.

Amid speculations on “conductive political situation” — a section in the BJP said Shah was insinuating at invoking Article 355 or 356 in Bengal — Mamata Banerjee reacted strongly labelling Shah a “conspirator” and warning him against “playing with fire”.

The timing of the home minister’s assertion regarding the role of the BSF is significant as Mamata has passed specific instructions to the police and administration in the bordering districts to ensure that border guards are not allowed a free hand.

At a number of administrative meetings, Mamata asked state officials to be alert and not let the BSF operate within 50km of the India-Bangla border within Indian territory .

Last year, the home ministry came up with a notification, increasing the BSF’s jurisdiction from 15km to 50km.

It was vehemently opposed by Trinamul and a resolution passed against the decision at the Bengal Assembly.

On Thursday, Mamata said: “If he (Shah) is saying that he will create such a situation... It means he is the conspirator. The plan is to create political complications. The cat is out of the bag now. I will ask him not to play with fire.”

She also accused the home minister of trying to use the BSF with political intent.

“He is trying to bring BSF into the political field. We want to say they (BSF) should not fall in the trap as they (BJP) will not come to power in 2024,” Mamata added.

Over the past months, Mamata has spoken against the central paramilitary force and has accused it of being “trigger happy” and tormenting villagers near the India-Bangladesh border without reason.

Earlier in the day, Shah launched three floating border outposts of the BSF — Sutlej, Narmada and Kavery — built at Cochin shipyard.

With these new three ships, the size of the BSF fleet guarding the riverine delta of Sundarbans has increased to six. Earlier, three similar floating BOPs – Ganga, Savarmati and Krishna -- were launched.

All the floating BOPs are equipped with modern gadgets, weapons and other security accessories. These boats can sail over a month without refueling.

At Haridaspur, the home minister also laid the foundation stone of “Maitri”, a museum that would be built to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Liberation war of Bangladesh. A sum of eight crores would be spent for the museum, said sources.