West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the Border Security Force (BSF) of helping "infiltrators" enter India to destabilise the state.
Mamata Banerjee said illegal intruders were being pushed into the state and the Trinamool Congress was being blamed for it.
"People are entering through BSF Islampur, through Sitai, through Chopra, we have news. Why are you not protesting? The border is in the hands of the BSF. If anyone thinks that they are intruding into Bengal and maligning the Trinamool, let them be warned that the Trinamool Congress does not do these things. Don't abuse Trinamool by supporting the wrongdoings of BSF," she said at a press conference.
She asked BSF DG Rajeev Kumar to investigate where the paramilitary force is allegedly helping infiltrators.
Also read: Centre must ensure safe return of people: Mamata on Bangladesh turmoil
The Bharatiya Janata Party reacted to her accusation.
{{/usCountry}}The Bharatiya Janata Party reacted to her accusation.
{{/usCountry}}"Mamata Banerjee is the only leader who has criticized and abused the BSF. The problem with Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee is that the BSF has come down hard on the nefarious network involved with drugs and human and cattle trafficking, some of the kingpins of this network. We would advise them to cooperate with the BSF looking at the current situation in Bangladesh," said BJP leader Anirban Ganguly.
There has been a strain in bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was deposed from power last August. India has asked Muhammad Yunus' interim government to stop attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
Abhishek Banerjee attacks Centre
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday alleged that the Centre's response to the Bangladesh situation through diplomatic channels was "inadequate", and said state BJP leaders should ask the central leadership to be more vocal about atrocities on minorities in the neighbouring country.
"The state BJP leaders who find fault with the TMC government on every matter and stage protests are not talking about the inadequate response of the Narendra Modi government on the diplomatic front about continuing atrocities on Hindus and other communities in Bangladesh," Banerjee said.
"If the BJP leaders here are so conscious about the torture and abuse of minorities in the neighbouring country, why don't they prevail upon their government in Delhi to respond appropriately? They should ask the central leadership to be more vocal about the Bangladesh situation," the Diamond Harbour MP added.
With inputs from PTI