Intense vigil, more fencing along Bangladesh border after rise in infiltration bid: BSF
Times of India | 3 December 2024
Kolkata/Jalpaiguri: With a surge in infiltration attempts over the past four months as compared to the same period last year, areas along the border — which were open previously — were being fenced, said the BSF North Bengal Frontier officials.
They suspected that the infiltration attempts could have increased due to ‘various instabilities' in the neighbouring country.
Officials stated that surveillance had been intensified. Both personnel and cameras had been deployed to check infiltration.
Biometric machines have been installed at crossing points along the border. Soorya Kant Sharma, IG of the North Bengal Frontier of BSF, said, "Since Aug, there has been an increase in attempts by Bangladeshi nationals. Discussions are being held with the Border Guard Bangladesh to resolve these issues. Movement is high at Thakurgaon and Panchgarh. Around 10% of the border lacks fencing. This will be covered soon." In Aug, the BSF had stopped around 1,000 Bangladeshi nationals, mostly Hindus, from crossing the border in the Kashiyar Baruni area in Pathantuli village in Sitalkuchi block of Cooch Behar.
In 2023, the North Bengal Frontier arrested 127 Bangladeshis on charges of illegal entry across the border. Additionally, 173 Indians were arrested. In comparison, so far this year, 194 Bangladeshis and 197 Indians had been apprehended. Three suspected Rohingyas and three other infiltrators were also arrested by the BSF. Contraband goods worth Rs 18 crore had also been seized.