BSF submits list of 172 ultra camps to BDR

The Border Security Force (BSF) has submitted a list of 172 camps of the Indian militant outfits in the territory of Bangladesh to the officials of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in a recent meeting held at Chittagong. The BSF is also of the view that the presence of fundamentalist forces just across the international border is a serious security threat to India.
Inspector General of BSF in charge of Assam and Meghalaya sectors, PK Mishra, who led the Indian delegation to the talks with the BDR, said that the BSF also submitted a list of 72 Indian insurgent leaders staying in Bangladesh along with a list of 79 Bangladeshi sympathizers. He said that after the change of the regime in Bangladesh, the body language of the BDR officials changed and unlike in the past when the BDR refused to accept the fact that Indian insurgents were staying within the territory of that country, they assured to examine the list submitted and to take action in this regard. He said that BDR also submitted a list of Bangladeshi insurgents allegedly staying in India and the BSF has already taken up the issue with the concerned police officials.
Mishra said that both BSF and BDR agreed to institutionalize bilateral mechanism to combat terrorism and organized crimes. He said that the BSF sought the cooperation of the BDR in dealing with trans border crimes like kidnapping, dacoity, cattle lifting, breaching of border fencing by Bangladeshi nationals and uprooting of order pillars. He said that though both India and Bangladesh agreed to construct the border fencing at a distance of 150 yards from the zero line, in 237 patches along the border, the fencing would have to erected within the 150 yards because of the terrain and the matter has been referred to BDR. The BDR insisted that the border fencing has got “defence potential” but the BSF delegation made it clear that the fencing is for prevention of trans border movement of criminals and illegal migrants.
Interestingly, BDR requested the BSF to allow it to make use of the training centers of the BSF in India to train up the personnel of the BDR and the matter has been referred to the Government of India. Mishra said that such meetings between the officials of the BSF and BDR would help in improving bilateral ties and would go a long way in avoiding unpleasant incidents like exchange of firing. However, the IG made it clear that though the relations between the BSF and BDR improved considerably, the BSF men posted all along the international border have been instructed not to lower their guard at any moment. He also revealed that as a part of confidence building measure, a friendly football match between the BSF and BDR would be held at Dawki in Meghalaya on May 14.
The BSF IG admitted that despite best efforts by the BSF men posted along the international border, the militants are still managing to smuggle in weapons by taking advantage of the lack of fencing in many areas and despite repeated requests, the Government of Bangladesh has not allowed BSF to bring in a floating BOP through its territory for guarding the riverine border. He said that a floating BOP is now being constructed at Pandu instead of waiting for the Government of the neighbouring country. However, he said that the BSF is guarding the riverine border with its fleet of speed boats.
Mishra said that completion of the border fencing would be of great help to the BSF in dealing with trans border crimes and illegal migration of Bangladeshi nationals. He said that from time to time, activities of the militants affected fencing construction work. He revealed that recently five militants belonging to NSCN, who were returning from the camps in Bangladesh, surrendered to the BSF in a border post along with weapons and the BDR was informed about that in the recent meeting.
The IG said that the BSF has procured modern gadgets including thermal image intensifiers, which resulted in shooting up of recovery of smuggled goods in this sector. However, he admitted that arms smuggling is a cause for concern, while, cattle smuggling has also gone up. He expressed the view that the Government could think of making cattle exports legal so that the Government can earn revenue out of it. He also pointed out that completely sealing the border is an impossible task.
Replying to a question, Mishra said that according to information available, fundamentalist groups are active in the areas just across the international border, which might turn out to be a security threat to India. He also said that in recent years, a good number of Madrassas came up near the border areas in Dhubri and Karimganj and the BSF is trying to keep a watch on the same.

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