Bengal Governor visits Swarupnagar to take stock of ‘reverse migration’ due to SIR fears

Amid reports that a large number of people are trying to cross into Bangladesh due to SIR-related fears, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose visited Hakimpur border post at Swarupnagar in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas on Monday, November 24, 2025.

The Governor reached the border area on Monday evening, November 24, 2025, and interacted with Border Security Force (BSF) officials guarding the border. The governor is likely to visit Murshidabad border areas on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Speaking to media persons, the Governor said that there are reports of human migration across the India-Bangladesh border and there are various comments regarding the same. “Before I make my own assessment of the situation, I want to go to the field and evaluate the situation so that I can make my decision,” the governor said.

Dr. Bose added that SIR is a “vital and important” exercise carried out by the Election Commission of India.

“If there are any complaints against this, I believe the ECI will address them all. I hope everything goes well. All’s well that ends well,” he had added. The Governor had also urged the ECI and the State government to allay fears regarding SIR.

During the day, Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari said that all those trying to return to Bangladesh were “illegal Bangladeshi Muslims”.

The BJP leader said that no “illegal Bangladeshi Muslims” will remain in West Bengal after February 2026, when the SIR process is completed. Mr. Adhikari said the only solution to the exodus of Bangladeshi Muslims is to defeat Mamata Banerjee in the Assembly elections next year.