MEKHLIGANJ

Move to beef up security along Bangladesh border at Mekhliganj

There are two Bangladeshi enclaves adjacent to the international border at Mekhliganj in Cooch Behar. These are Dahagram and Angarpota. These two enclaves have connection with the mainland of Bangladesh. The district administration of Cooch Behar has taken initiative to boost up security facilities near the enclaves to thwart activities of smugglers, cattle lifters and other criminals. As a part of the move 24 watch points of Border Security Force are coming up.

The plan behind setting up of the watch points is to help the BSF jawans to keep watch on the border. It was learnt that Rs 50-lakh has been allocated to construct 24 watch points at gram panchayat areas like Kuchlibari and Bagdogra Fulkadabri under Mekhliganj block. Work was initiated to set up eleven of the proposed watch points but the rest have delayed due to different problems. At one stage the Bangladesh authorities reportedly expressed their objection over construction of the watch points. In January of this year a high level meeting was held at Changrabandha border to iron out the problems and the situation turned normal.

It is expected that after completion of construction of the watch points it would be easier for the BSF jawans to keep vigil along the border. Following this, the problem of cattle trafficking, smuggling and illegal infiltration may decrease in the border areas. Though there are eight border outposts (BOP) of the BSF the addition of the watch points may be helpful to the security force to keep constant vigil over the border. Sources said the administration is now trying to complete the construction of the proposed watch points as early as possible.