Ghosh calls for stricter action on illegal entrants as he cautions tourists

Kolkata, August 27 – In the wake of the Nepal flood emergency, West Bengal’s tourism minister Dileep Ghosh reiterated that natural disasters cannot be assigned blame, but human negligence often aggravates the outcome. He pointed out that many adventurers head to the hills with little awareness of impending monsoon risks.

He urged the public to avoid hill stations such as Manaswar during July and August, the months most prone to landslides and flash floods. Ghosh recounted past rescue missions involving helicopters, some of which were unable to locate missing trekkers, resulting in tragic loss.

The minister assured that the state and central governments will continue exhaustive rescue efforts, striving to bring back every survivor.

Ghosh also praised India’s global disaster‑relief record, noting that Indian doctors, medicines, NDRF units and even rescue dogs have been sent to crisis zones from Greece to Pakistan, as well as to African and American locations.

Echoing Home Minister Amit Shah, Ghosh demanded decisive measures against illegal immigrants, alleging that several political groups have sheltered foreign nationals engaged in criminal acts. He said border fortifications are being reinforced and identified illegal entrants are being deported.

When opposition leader Rahul Gandhi questioned the relevance of Manusmriti, Ghosh dismissed the comment as irresponsible, stating that disrespecting Hindu traditions cannot be a winning political strategy.