The check post has been shifted from Namkhana in South 24-Parganas to Hemnagar in North 24-Parganas
In order to prevent illegal entry of Bangaldeshi immigrants in the state, the West Bengal government has decided to shift the new land custom station (LCS) from Namkhana in South 24-Parganas to Hemnagar in North 24-Parganas. The new station will be functional from September.
The previous LCS was set up at Namkhana with the immigration check post 175 kilometres from the existing LCS and now with the LCS being set up at Hemnagar, the immigration check post is just 25 kilometres from the International border of Bangaldesh.
On July 12, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has sent a letter (memo number IWAI/KOL/HEMNAGAR /2011/12) to the state home department instructing them to shift the land custom station for security reasons. The decision was taken in a meeting with the Union Home Ministry, and to facilitate the establishment, IWAI has directed them to take the zilla parishad guest house building at Hemnagar.
Senior officials of the state home department said that the number of Bangladeshi immigrants illegally entering the country through West Bengal in the past eight months (January to July) is around 4,000, which is higher than other states like Meghalya, Assam and Tripura.
The new station will have a built-up area of 3,222 square feet area on the ground floor and a speed boat will be provided to facilitate the staff from the mainland – Dhamakhali to Hemnagar – in case of emergency.
Tags: Assam, Hemnagar, Inland Waterways Authority of India, Namkhana, South 24 Parganas district, Tripura, West Bengal, West Bengal government
