Chief minister Mamata Banerjee started her panchayat poll campaign from here on Monday by slamming the BSF posted at the India-Bangladesh border for allegedly killing people without provocation and warning residents of bordering villages that the BSF might intimidate them ahead of the polls.

“On a number of occasions, youths have been gunned down by the BSF in Cooch Behar and in some other places without any reason. Their jurisdiction has been increased… and they are resorting to highhandedness. We have clearly instructed the police to take appropriate steps if the BSF acts beyond its purview or makes any move that affects residents living near the border,” said Mamata, addressing her first public meeting ahead of the rural polls.

Mamata's assertion confirms that Trinamul is all set to underscore the alleged atrocities of the BSF ahead of rural polls. The Telegraph had reported on Sunday that the party believes is relatable to bordering villages to galvanise support and toss a challenge at the BJP.

On Monday, as she reached the meeting venue in Cooch Behar-I block, she met the families of two youths, Jelal Mian of Sitalkuchi and Gautam Barman of Mekhliganj, who died in recent incidents of alleged BSF firing, on the dais.

Earlier, in February, Trinamul’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, at a public meeting in Mathabhanga, had brought the family of Prem Kumar Barman, another youth who allegedly fell to BSF pellets last December, on the dais.

“These families have suffered… they have lost their near and dear ones in BSF firing. We will extend all possible help to them. There is specific information that before the upcoming polls, the BSF will be engaged to intimidate villagers. If they make any such attempt, my mothers and sisters should give them a befitting reply and youths should stand in support,” said Mamata on Sunday.

During the past couple of years, especially after the Union home ministry increased BSF’s jurisdiction from 15km to 50km within the country from the international border, Mamata’s stance on the central force has been stern. Her government passed a resolution in the Assembly against the Centre’s decision. In a number of public meetings, she alerted the administration and the police to be on alert and not let the BSF act beyond its authority.

On June 19, a sub-inspector of the state police in Cooch Behar filed a police complaint against two senior BSF officers and others when a BSF team reached the BDO office of Dinhata-II block and claimed they were on general patrolling duty when the nomination process was on. Cops asked them to leave as prohibitory orders were in force. Reportedly, an altercation followed. Eventually, the BSF team left.

Political observers said that in some Bengal districts that share borders with Bangladesh, the BJP made inroads by playing the polarisation card, evident in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly polls. At the same time, there are instances of central force "excesses", which Trinamul intends to highlight.

Barb and rejoinder

Mamata, without naming Nisith Pramanik, the junior home minister and Cooch Behar MP, said: "How can a goon assume a minister’s post in the home ministry? BSF is killing people here and he is making trips to Africa. He was involved in crimes, yet no steps were taken."

Pramanik attacked Mamata on her remarks on the BSF. “It is unfortunate that a chief minister has abused the BSF which spends sleepless nights at the borders to ensure national security."