BSF urges border residents to part with land for fencing  

advertisement

42-km stretch of Indo-Bangla border remains unfenced in Meghalaya sector

Shillong, May 2: The Border Security Force (BSF) has urged residents living along Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya to part with their land to erect border fencing in 42-km yet-to-be-fenced stretches, in order to strengthen national security.

“Around 42 kilometres of border in Meghalaya is unfenced, primarily because of the non-availability of the land,” BSF inspector general (IG) OP Upadhyay told reporters on Thursday.

Stating a border fencing is project of national importance, the IG said, “We are working in close coordination with the state government (for a solution).”

Upadhyay said the state government, including the chief minister, is concerned over the matter and the government is proactively working on it.

He expressed the hope of finding a solution to the long-pending issue.

Informing that respective deputy commissioners are trying to persuade the villagers, whose land is going to be affected, the IG admitted to the villagers being concerned over losing the land outside the fence for good.

Seeking to address the key concern, the IG said, “…we are ready to help all the border population… in whatever sense they will require our assistance be it in the form of security and patrols, …gates in the fencing.”

He underlined the role the border fencing plays in national security and state security as well.

Meanwhile, he said cross-border smuggling has been on the decline.

“In the past, during election time, there were concerns about smuggling, but at the moment downward trend is visible, primarily because of alertness of the BSF, coordination and cooperation of the state police and other agencies,” he said.

On the recent developments in Bangladesh and the Pahalgam terror attack, Upadhyay said, “There is a requirement of enhanced level of security and vigilance. Accordingly, we have enhanced our security and vigilance and we are ready for any eventuality. “

advertisement

While Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras have been installed in view of the recent developments, deployment of electronic surveillance of vulnerable patches (ESVP) in around 32-km border stretch will take place very soon, he said.

Very recently, all the floodlights along 443 kms of the border with Meghalaya have been replaced with the advanced floodlights.

The BSF is also using sniffer and tracker dogs in operations such as patrolling and ambush-cum-patrol, observation post, and zero line patrolling.

“We have got good quality of efficient dogs be it sniffer and tracker dogs. We are focusing on the tracker dogs so that we can track the culprits and catch hold of them,” the IG said.

On cross-border infiltration, he said the infiltration has come down by 70% in the past two-three months.

“We have requested the concerned agencies to take necessary legal actions against the touts, both Bangladeshi and Indians,” he said.

advertisement

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

DNA profiling of rhino horns begins in Assam to boost conservation and combat wildlife crime

GUWAHATI, July 10: In a landmark conservation effort, Assam...

Gaurav Gogoi urges PM Modi to end Barak Valley isolation, demands urgent transport overhaul

GUWAHATI, July 10: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president...

SI, four constables suspended for ‘assault’ of detainee in police custody in Meghalaya

Shillong, Jul 10: A sub-inspector and four constables posted...

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to begin 4-day Meghalaya visit from Thursday

Shillong, Jul 10: Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister...

8 illegal immigrants ‘pushed back’ into Bangladesh: Assam CM

Guwahati, Jul 10: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma...

‘Sindoor Bridge’ inaugurated in Mumbai; Fadnavis says its name a tribute to armed forces

Mumbai, Jul 10: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img