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New Delhi: Tensions are rising among local transport operators in West Bengal’s border district of Malda following allegations that Bangladeshi nationals are illegally entering India to operate rented auto-rickshaws and Toto (electric) rickshaws during daytime hours.

Local drivers allege that large-scale fleet owners are renting out unregistered vehicles without verifying the identity of the drivers, allowing unauthorized individuals to undercut local fares and create security concerns along the border belt.

According to registered auto and Toto drivers, fleet owners holding anywhere from 70 to 80 vehicles routinely rent them out on a daily basis without requiring official identification or background checks.

• Fare Undercutting: Local operators report that non-local drivers accept lower fares, severely impacting the livelihood of licensed Indian drivers.

• Border Crossings: Protesters claim these individuals enter through un-fenced stretches along the Malda border in the morning, operate vehicles throughout the day, hand the keys back to the owner by evening, and return across the border.

• Security Threats: Driver unions expressed concern that unverified, illegal vehicles could be exploited by radical elements or criminal outfits operating in the border region.

Commenting on the situation, local auto driver Govinda Burman stated, “People come from outside and drive these auto-rickshaws. The vehicle belongs to the local owner. They come from across the border during the day, run the auto, hand it back to the owner in the evening, and leave.”

Addressing the growing concerns, Malda Superintendent of Police (SP) Anupam Singh confirmed that the police department has initiated a comprehensive survey to identify illegal auto-rickshaws operating in the district.

• Verification Drives: Police have commenced spot checks across Malda. Moving forward, only registered owners or verified drivers carrying valid Aadhaar cards and Voter ID cards will be permitted to operate commercial auto-rickshaws.

• Ownership Mandates: Regulations restricting commercial operation strictly to registered vehicle owners or officially authorized drivers are being enforced.

SP Anupam Singh stated, “We are investigating how many illegal auto-rickshaws are operating. While we have not received a formal written complaint regarding foreign nationals operating them, driver identification checks are now underway. Drivers will need to present their identity cards during periodic inspections.”

Malda shares a vast border area with Bangladesh, portions of which historically lacked barbed-wire fencing. Following recent policy decisions, land allocations have been processed to enable the Border Security Force (BSF) to complete the remaining fencing work along the sensitive stretches.