Kumar claimed that a Kashmiri militant was traced and handed over by the Bengal police. “We traced the Kashmiri militant for two days based on the information provided by the Special Task Force of the West Bengal Police. We watched his movements. After that, we called the Kashmir Police. We are quietly doing our work. Not much can be said about the investigation, especially on militants. We can’t tell you before they are arrested or caught. It doesn’t mean we sit idly,” he said.
Kumar indirectly criticised the Border Security Force (BSF) regarding incidents of infiltration into India from across the Bangladesh border. He stated, “West Bengal is the only state that shares borders with three countries. Border security is the BSF’s responsibility, and its operations have several flaws. In recent days, many individuals have crossed the border and entered Bengal. However, we are taking action. We arrest the intruders and ensure they are sent to the appropriate authorities.”
Kumar said that the success of the West Bengal Police was due to the cooperation of the people. “We are successful in combating militancy because we get people’s support. As we are for people, so people are for us. I can’t disclose all the information, but many actively cooperate with us on the ground,” he said.
“The position of West Bengal is such that if anyone from Bangladesh wants to go anywhere in Kashmir or the western part of India, they have to go through this state. There is no other option. Trust us. We are doing our job, but quietly,” Kumar said.
Kumar assured us that the police would be more active in the case of infiltration by forging passports. He said that police superintendents of different police stations will personally supervise the passport verification process in the coming days.
During the press conference, Kolkata police Commissioner Manoj Verma and Javed Shamim, Additional Director General and Inspector General of the State Intelligence Branch, who also holds the additional charge of Additional Director Security, were present.
Speaking further on the recent passport-related issues and cases, Kumar pointed out how the police’s role was kept limited to make the passport-making process “seamless and easier”.
“We are changing the whole passport thing. SPs and Deputy Commissioners will personally look into it (referring to the verification procedure). Anyone who tries to disturb peace will be strictly dealt with,” Kumar said.
Kumar said that passport offices are requesting clarification on various aspects of the new police verification (PV) process. The ministry has reviewed these inquiries, and the following clarifications regarding the new passport verification process are provided:
(a) The new police verification report (PVR) is confined only to the citizenship and criminality of the applicant.
(b) The particulars generated in the PP form through the PSP system are already verified at the Passport Seva Kendras (FISK)/ post office. Therefore, the police authorities are not required to verify the identity of the applicant in the 131/R.
(c) The police authorities are not required to verify the address of the applicant.
(d) There is no need for the police authorities to meet the applicant and get his/ her signature on the PVR.
(e) It is, however, up to the police authorities if they want to meet the applicant or prefer to visit the residence of the applicant for the purpose of preparing the PVR.
(f) Document verification is being done at the PSK/POPSK, and the police authorities are not required to re-verify them unless specifically requested by the passport office.
(g) During the PV process, the police authorities are only required to confirm that the applicant is a citizen of India, and there are no criminal proceedings against the applicant to deny a passport u/s 6(2) of the ACT.
(h) ‘Adverse’ PVR on grounds other than citizenship or criminality of the applicant is not to be taken into consideration, and passports may be issued subject to usual checks by the passport office.