July 20, 2016
Kalyan Banerjee speaks in Lok Sabha during a discussion on the recent violence in Kashmir
Today we are discussing about the situation arising out of recent violence in Kashmir valley resulting in threat to peace and security of the people of the State. Sir, Kashmir is an integral part of our country and everyone in our country is concerned about the State. Everyone in our country loves Kashmir. And they have all sympathies for the civil citizens of Kashmir.
Sir, in unequivocal terms, everyone in this country criticizes and protests whenever there are any attacks in Kashmir by any other countries or terrorists. Sir, Kashmir has witnessed large number of terrorist activities for several decades. It is the failure of the successive governments, including the present one, to prevent such terrorist activities.
Sir, the present NDA government led by Modi ji will blame the UPA government and the UPA, which is now in the Opposition, will blame the present government. But not a single government has taken effective steps to prevent terrorism in Kashmir. Recently the incidents which have occurred in the Kashmir valley are due to mishandling of the situation by the Central government.
Sir, we all appreciate whenever the Central government, through the armed forces, takes steps against any terrorist activities, either in Kashmir or any other state. But we do not appreciate it when such armed forces of the Central government take away the lives of genuine, peaceful citizens of Kashmir who have no connection with terrorist activities. We have full sympathy for those injured in firing by the security forces including those who have lost their sight due to pellet injuries.
Sir, a large number of ordinary citizens of Kashmir, more than 40, have lost their lives. The Central government must extend all help to the affected families. We want to hear today from the Hon’ble Home Minister what help they are going to extend to these families. This is not a matter of debate for debate’s sake. We want to hear from the Home Minister.
Sir, it is great failure on the part of the Central government to keep intelligence information which resulted in recent violence in Kashmir, including the fall out of the death of Hizbul leader Burhan Wani. High-sounding speeches of ministers will not solve the crisis in Kashmir. Instead, steps should be taken to prevent all terrorist activities in Kashmir in a more intelligent way. At the same time, it has to be ensured that the security forces of the Central government do not take the life of any ordinary citizen of Kashmir. We want this assurance from the Hon’ble Home Minister in this House itself.
Sir, the State of West Bengal also shares international border with three countries. Recent incidents in Dhaka, where 20 people were killed by terrorists, have created an alarming situation in the international border areas of West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya. Large number of infiltrators are entering into India through the border areas of West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya.
Sir, the Border Security Force has become a champion in showing their inefficiency to prevent such infiltrators from entering our country. One of the important reasons behind that a large area of the north-eastern region including West Bengal is fenceless despite the assurance given by the Central Government including the present one. To complete the fencing of the Indo–Bangla border area effective steps have not yet been taken. As a result of which thousands and thousands of infiltrators and also terrorists are entering into our country. The primary responsibility to stop such infiltration lies with the Central government and indeed there is a great failure to that effect. Meanwhile, a few dignitaries of the Central Government are busy blaming the States for not preventing such infiltration.
West Bengal shares 2,216.7 km of border with Bangladesh. Of this, 915 km is in South Bengal spanning an area from Sunderbans to Malda. Nearly 317 km of this is unfenced. The vast stretches of Sunderbans remain unguarded as the thrust has been given only on the densely populated areas of North 24 Parganas, Nadia and Murshidabad. Despite the presence of the Border Security Force in the fenced areas of North 24 Parganas, Nadia and Murshidabad, everyday, large number of infiltrators are entering into India and cattle from India are being smuggled into Bangladesh through a racket. The BSF is failing to stop such cattle smuggling from India to Bangladesh.
Our Hon’ble Chief Minister repeatedly reminded the Central government to prevent such cattle smuggling from India to Bangladesh and infiltration from Bangladesh to India but unfortunately, not a single one paid heed to her request. Our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the terror strike in the neighboring country was a matter of concern and the government has to intensify vigil in the border districts. Cattle smuggling in the border districts is rampant. It is the responsibility of the Central government to prevent or prohibit such infiltration and cattle smuggling. Our State is ready to render all assistance to the Central government for such purposes.
Recently, the Hon’ble Prime Minister constituted a committee of seven states for making in-depth study in connection with the problem of border States. Unfortunately, West Bengal that shares a long international border with Bangladesh has not been included in the committee. Sir, cooperative federalism demands extensive interaction between the Centre and the States so that all issues are sorted out in the best interest of the country including the States. In view of the recent incidents in Bangladesh, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal held a very high-level review meeting with the senior officials and gave directions for enhanced intelligence coverage and prompt action wherever necessary. Sir, the problem is that all the States are working efficiently but the credit is being taken by the Centre by way of advertisements. Sometimes I wonder whether they are running the government or they are running an advertising agency.
Sir, West Bengal welcomes coordination with the neighboring States of Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha for combating left-wing extremism and joint meetings have already been held between the officials of the neighboring States and the officials of West Bengal. All the State governments are working.
In the end, I think everyone who is present here and outside the Parliament, everyone in this country, want that peace should be restored in Kashmir and civil citizens of Kashmir live like any other citizen of this country.
Thank you, Sir.
