Nomads of the Border: How Life Unfolds on India-Bangladesh’s No Man’s Land
Ground Report | Life along Indo-Bangla border (in Murshidabad district) reflects the intersection of national security and human rights, with residents treated as suspects rather than citizens. Farmers and fishermen endure exploitation, while children walk miles to shuttered schools. Community efforts offer a glimpse of hope, but true transformation demands committed governance and inclusive development

Jalangi/Raninagar/Charbhadra: The 120-kilometer-long India-Bangladesh border in Murshidabad is a hotspot for smuggling activities and socio-economic struggles. With the Padma River forming a natural boundary in many areas, the absence of consistent barbed wire fencing has left the region vulnerable to trafficking and other illicit activities.
Residents of India’s border villages face daily struggles due to geographical ambiguities, lack of infrastructure, and stringent security measures, leaving their livelihoods and dignity in jeopardy.
Border Residents Face Barriers
Villages like Raninagar, Jalangi, Sagarpara, Lalgola and Bhagwangola in Murshidabad district are at the forefront of these challenges. The Padma River flows alongside the border, creating a geographical ambiguity that blurs the lines between India and Bangladesh. Smuggling activities, especially during the winter months, have escalated under dense fog.
Smuggling and Infiltration Continue to Plague the India-Bangladesh Border. Despite efforts by the Border Security Force (BSF), smuggling and infiltration remain major concerns along the India-Bangladesh border. In recent months, there has been a surge in the smuggling of buffaloes from India to Bangladesh, with smugglers taking advantage of the open border and dense fog to evade detection.
The BSF has reported several incidents of buffalo smuggling. On the night of November 25 last year, a young man died while attempting to cross the Shialmari River with a group of buffaloes. In another incident, on November 29, the BSF seized two buffaloes being smuggled to Bangladesh and arrested a youth attempting to smuggle gold worth Rs 37 lakh.
In addition to smuggling, infiltration remains a significant concern. In the last few months, Indian buffaloes have been smuggled to neighbouring Bengal several times through the open borders of Jalangi, Sagarpara and Raninagar. The Raninagar police recently arrested two Indian brokers and a Bangladeshi national who had entered India without valid documents. It is believed that most Bangladeshi infiltrators enter India with the help of Indian brokers and are destined for South India, where they work as labourers.
While the BSF claims to be active in preventing smuggling and infiltration, questions are being raised about the effectiveness of their efforts. The occasional incidents of infiltration and smuggling suggest that more needs to be done to secure the border and prevent these illegal activities.
Smugglers reportedly use this area to traffic drugs, cattle and even people. Cannabis, heroin, and phensedyl are among the most trafficked items, with drugs entering Murshidabad from states like Assam and Manipur and from across the border in Bangladesh. Despite police claims of year-round vigilance, residents allege that enforcement remains inadequate. Resident Bablu Sheikh shared, “An approximately 75-kilometre stretch between Jalangi and Bhagwangola is not fenced. Surveillance is nearly impossible at night. Until proper fencing is installed, trafficking will continue to thrive.”

Impact on Local Livelihoods
The BSF has stringent controls in place for civilians entering or leaving certain blocks in Murshidabad, West Bengal. To move in or out of these areas, residents must obtain permission by showing their certificates within a specified time frame.
These restrictions have led to significant social and economic implications for the local population. Many residents from mainland India are hesitant to marry into families from these border areas due to the difficulties posed by the BSF’s controls. A BSF officer explained, “There can be no compromise on border security. These steps have been taken to safeguard the nation’s security, and we must ensure that no illegal activities take place.”
Beyond trafficking, the stringent rules imposed by the BSF have added to the misery of border residents. Villagers in Jalangi’s Char Parashpur and Char Udayanagar alleged restrictions on carrying essentials such as rice, sugar, kerosene and fertilizer for farming. Farmers face obstacles in transporting fertilizers or harvesting crops, often being asked to provide land documents that they do not possess.
A resident, Nizamuddin Sheikh, expressed his frustration, “We are not allowed to bring our harvest from the fields. If we don’t comply, our crops rot. These rules are killing our livelihoods.”
Furthermore, the region’s development has been severely hindered. Roads, water supply, healthcare, and education facilities are all underdeveloped, resulting in a low literacy rate. Residents have long suffered from underdevelopment and border-related issues, with many expressing their desire for change and a better quality of life. “We want to change this. We want to live comfortably,” said one resident, highlighting the need for improved living conditions and greater freedom of movement.

Farmers & Fisherman Face Unrelenting Challenges
Farmers living in the border areas of India and Bangladesh are plagued by numerous problems that hinder their ability to cultivate and harvest their crops. The lack of barbed wire fencing along the border in Murshidabad has led to an increase in smugglers, causing innocent farmers to suffer the consequences.
One of the major issues faced by these farmers is the destruction of their ripe crops by Bangladeshis. Additionally, they are often harassed by the BSF while cultivating their land. BSF has been accused of beating farmers who refuse to apprehend smugglers, as was the case in Sagarpara, where farmers were asked to capture smugglers but were beaten when they declined.
The central government has been criticized for its inaction in resolving these issues, which have been ongoing for a long time. Farmer Asghar Ali expressed his concern, stating, “Everything depends on this farming. I can do that farming independently. Central forces’ obstruction at the moment. I am in a state of subjugation in my own country. I don’t know when we will get rid of this problem.”
Fishermen, too, are severely impacted. The Padma River, a lifeline for many fishermen in the area, has become a source of uncertainty and struggle. These fishermen rely on catching fish and crabs to support their families, but their livelihoods are being threatened by restrictions on fishing in the river.
Although permission for fishing is occasionally granted, it comes with stringent conditions that make it difficult for fishermen to make a living. As a result, many are struggling to provide for their families. “We start our day at dawn, but often, we are stopped by border security officials even after showing valid documents. How are we supposed to feed our families?” lamented fisherman Uttam Haldar. He said that the Indian government must take immediate action to address the concerns of these farmers and ensure their safety and well-being. This includes providing adequate fencing along the border, increasing security measures, and establishing essential services in the area.

Social Issues and Alleged Harassment
The restrictions have not only affected the fishermen’s income but also their way of life. With their livelihoods under threat, the future of these fishing communities hangs in the balance. The situation is further complicated by the lack of basic amenities, such as primary schools and medical centres, in the border areas. The absence of these essential services exacerbates the difficulties faced by farmers and their families.
The restrictions have led to numerous incidents of alleged harassment. Residents report cases where guests visiting from nearby villages were denied entry without proper justification. In one shocking incident, a pregnant woman was reportedly forced to dance before BSF personnel under suspicion of smuggling. Local political leader Jabul Mandal stated, “Even daily labourers and farmers are forced to work for border guards without pay. This exploitation must stop.”
Lack of Infrastructure and Education
The lack of basic infrastructure in these areas exacerbates the crisis. Around 700 families in Char Parashpur and Char Udayanagar depend on a handful of government facilities, including a sub-health centre and two schools. However, schools often remain closed due to poor connectivity and recurring floods. “Students walk four kilometres through sandy stretches to reach school, only to find teachers unable to conduct classes. The children eat midday meals and go home,” said Gita Biswas, a teacher at Char Bhadra Colony Secondary School.
Residents of the border area are in dire straits due to this move of the border guards. The villagers of Jalangi Char Parashpur Udayanagar say, ‘Even if we go to fetch the field crop, it takes sacks and bags, if BSF does not allow us to bring it, what will we do in the market? Even though the school is open, the children are not able to walk there. Health workers have to return to the sub-health centre. What are the benefits of health care? The government does not consider us as citizens of our country if we have such doubts!’.
About 700 families live in Char Parashpur and Char Udayanagar blocks of Jalangi. There are only a few ICDS Centers one each for children and secondary education in government service. There is a surviving sub-health centre in the area.
Although the MSK centre is open from primary school, there are no students. Closed mid-day meal. After reaching the school after traversing the sand of four km of char, the teachers go back to sleep with their heads on the table. “schools have to be closed during floods. The communication system is so bad that the students can’t come that way. We are worried about that”, she added.
On the other hand, a tiny village of merely 18-20 houses, Sarandajpur in Raninagar-2 block, paints a dismal picture of neglect and desolation. The residents of this village live in jute houses, some surrounded by bamboo fences with tin sheds, but not a single pucca building in sight. The harsh climate adds to their woes, with dusty summers and muddy monsoons making life a daily struggle.
The village’s isolation is compounded by the absence of basic amenities like electricity, primary schools, and medical centres. Angura Bibi, a resident, lamented that despite 77 years of independence, the village remains in darkness, relying on kerosene lamps for light. The scorching summer heat is alleviated only by the wind from the Padma River and hand fans.

Education has taken a hit, with the village lacking a primary school or ICDS centre. The nearest block primary health centre is a staggering 13 kilometres away, making healthcare a daunting challenge. Tufan Shaikh, another resident, pointed out that the village lacks a transport system, and no government projects have been initiated, leaving them feeling disconnected from civilized society.
The villagers’ plight is a stark reminder of the vast disparities in development and access to basic services. As one resident poignantly put it, “The year changes, the rulers change, but the attitude of this village does not change. I don’t know when luck will open.”
Public Representatives’ Promises And Politics
The people of Murshidabad are calling on their newly elected MP, Abu Taher Khan, to highlight the difficulties they face due to the lack of barbed wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh international border. This absence of fencing has led to numerous anti-social activities, including smuggling, and has become a significant concern for the local population.
Sahil Rashid, a teacher at the Sagarpara border, emphasized the need for development in the area, stating that the literacy rate is alarmingly low, and farmers are frequently harassed while working on their land near the border. Rashid urged Khan to raise these issues in parliament and work towards finding solutions.
In response, Abu Taher Khan, the TMC MP from Murshidabad Lok Sabha constituency, acknowledged the problems faced by border dwellers and assured that he would address these concerns in parliament. Khan committed to working towards the development of the border areas, recognizing the need for improved living conditions and security for the local population.
The residents of Murshidabad are hoping that Khan’s efforts will bring about positive change and address the long-standing issues plaguing the region. Residents express frustration with political leaders who make grand promises during election campaigns but disappear after the votes are counted. “We’ve heard the same promises for years, but our situation remains unchanged. Our livelihoods are in danger, and no one seems to care,” said a resident Ketab Ali.
Despite these challenges, the people of Murshidabad’s border villages remain hopeful for a better future. They dream of a day when border security measures will strike a balance between safety and dignity, and their livelihoods will no longer be under constant threat. For now, the border remains a place of blurred lines—both geographically and in the lives of its struggling residents.
Abdul Gani Mondal, secretary of the Domkal branch of the human rights organization APDR, told eNewsroom, “The lives of people in Jalangi and Raninagar border areas are like those of nomads. They are deprived of all government services, including healthcare, education, water, and roads. They have to walk to Jalangi’s main market for any work. The local school lacks teachers, depriving border children of education. Basic healthcare is also unavailable. The border guards’ atrocities against locals are rising. They’re like refugees in their own country. We’ve informed the administration multiple times to resolve the border issue, but they haven’t taken any action.”