INDO-BANGLADESH BORDER

BSF seized huge quantity of fertilisers in December

COOCH BEHAR, Dec. 21: The allegation raised from different quarters over smuggling of fertilisers from Cooch Behar district to Bangladesh have been reflected in a report of the Border Security Force too. Now, the Opposition got a chance to come down heavily on the administration over the fertiliser scarcity issue because their allegation turned true by the report.

 

In the report a senior BSF official pointed out that smuggling activities especially of fertilisers have shown an upward trend in Cooch Behar district. In this month (upto 20 December) the BSF have seized 27,963-kilogram fertiliser meant for smuggling out of Cooch Behar district through the Indo-Bangladesh border.

 

BSF sources said in spite of inclement weather conditions the BSF personnel deployed along Indo-Bangladesh Border under Cooch Behar Sector was dominating the border effectively. BSF troupes seized huge quantity of ganja, a particular brand of cough syrup and cattle during the ongoing year. 633-kg ganja, 5741 bottles of cough syrup and 6999 cattle were seized in this year starting from January.

 

BSF also apprehended 260 Indian and Bangladeshi smugglers involved in smuggling and illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi labourers. BSF sources said they are to start a special drive to nab smugglers who are exploiting the international border for smuggling activities by taking the advantage of the foggy season.

 

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of the BSF, North Bengal Frontier, Mr Nand Kishore visited Durganagar and Sahebganj border outposts under jurisdiction of 89 Bn BSF on Friday. DIG-BSF, Cooch Behar Sector, Mr VS Sikarwar and officiating commandant of 89 Bn BSF Mr Vikram Kunwar accompanied him. The inspection was done to check whether the Battalion is fit to perform all types of tasks.

 

The IG-BSF held meetings with the gram panchayat pradhans and members and villagers residing in the vicinity of the Indo-Bangladesh border under surveillance of the 89 Bn. He heard their problems related to the day-to-day functioning of the BSF in the areas concerned. The villagers expressed their satisfaction when the IG-BSF assured them that the BOP Commander would visit the bordering villagers and interact with them to sort out their problems related to the border.

 

The IG-BSF said that eight new BOPs would be established in coming years to strengthen vigilance along the border area adjoining to Dinhata town. At the same time he requested the locals to co-operate with the BSF troupes deployed along the border to prevent transborder crimes. []