Bangladesh crisis: Villagers help BSF catch man filming border scene in West Bengal
Times of India | 11 August 2024
The man was caught shooting videos near this spot at Petrapole PETRAPOLE: It was a busy afternoon at the Petrapole border with Bangladeshi nationals trickling into Bengal after rigorous checks by the BSF. While some walked past the check-point and looked for transport, some spoke to journalists, recounting the last few days' happenings in Bangladesh. Suddenly, around eight money lenders and agents standing on the opposite lane of the check-point raised an alarm and surrounded a youth.While some started asking him questions, one of them ran to the BSF office and another called up the Bongaon police station. It transpired that the youth had been recording videos of Bangladeshis arriving in India and sending the clips to multiple numbers, suspected to be operated from Bangladesh. He was handed over to the authorities.
A few 100 metres away, at Haridaspur, a BSF team hit the border road following inputs of suspicious entry of a man. It turned out to be a false alarm, but the two youths, who brought the news, were appreciated for reporting something they found suspicious.
The coordination among BSF, local cops and border residents has been emerging as a critical tool in keeping an eye on illegal entry into India. No large-scale movement has been reported from anywhere in Bengal, except in Jalpaiguri, where hundreds gathered on the other side of the border. Security agencies have been banking on village groups to act as their eyes and ears. Besides, the BSF has implemented several measures, such as restriction on unnecessary civilian movements on the embankment to prevent security breach and prohibition on fishing in the border area at night. "Nothing would have been possible without villagers' help. On Friday, we held a collective inspection of areas, where foliage needs to be trimmed for better visibility. We have told villagers why certain steps were important for national security," said a BSF officer.
A resident of Kaliani off Petrapole pointed out that they were aware of the situation across the border. "We know what's happening there as many of our relatives live in Jessore and Khulna," said Beauty Saha from Kaliani. "Youngsters here have been told to keep an eye out for new faces."
Shanu Mondal, who lives in the border village of Baranberia in Nadia, said most of them were going indoors by 9 pm. "The BSF has asked us to stay away from the border at night and to shut shops by 9 pm," he said. At Haridaspur, from where the border road starts, the village market has been shutting by 8 pm.
The BSF has also contacted the Border Security Guards of Bangladesh at least four times to deal with such situations, especially in north Bengal. The cooperation had been satisfying, said officers.
The ministry of home affairs has formed a committee, led by ADG of BSF Eastern Command, to monitor the border. In a letter on Aug 9, the undersecretary to the Govt of India, Smitha Viju, said, "It has been decided to constitute a committee consisting of the following members for the above-mentioned subject a. ADG, BSF, Eastern Command as the Chairman, b. IG, BSF Frontier HQ South Bengal, c. IG, BSF Frontier HQ Tripura, d. Member (Planning and Development), LPAI and e. Secretary, LPAI."