SHILLONG:
Border Security Force (BSF) DIG Parveen Bakshi informed that the organisation is awaiting concurrence from the Bangladesh government for fencing in over 38 villages located within 150 yards along the international border.
“These cases are pending with the Bangladesh government, and we are waiting for the concurrence. Once we receive that, then the fence will be realigned and will be erected as per the concurrence,” Bakshi told the press.
Adding that of the said number of villages, a few could be touching the zero line, Bakshi informed that, so far, they have received the concurrence of fencing in six villages.
“There the fence is being erected within 150 yards,” he said.
Stating that 75 per cent of the border is already fenced, the BSF DIG, however, said that fencing could not be taken up in around 53km as land acquisition process is still on.
“Hopefully by the end of 2022, we would be able to complete around 90 per cent of the fence (but this is) subject to the availability of land,” he asserted.
Bakshi said that fencing work along the international border has not been stopped in any stretch. “Wherever land is available, the work has been allotted and is going on,” he informed.
On the recent recovery of arms and ammunition in South West Khasi Hills, the DIG said that one revolver marked as USA with two magazines and live ammunition were recovered during a joint operation carried between the BSF and the state police while acting on a tip off.
“However, it cannot be said it belongs to whom, but they must have either left this job or may have hidden it for later use…,” he added.
Listing out the challenges faced by the border guarding organisation in keeping the border safe and tranquil, Bakshi picked out elephant corridors as one of the major hurdles.
“Even when we fence certain areas that fall in elephant corridors, jumbos come and damage them. If somebody is on duty in these areas, there is risk to his life and when the herds move, smugglers sometimes take advantage of their movements and use them as a shield to enter the country,” he said.
He however said if the BSF personnel know beforehand, they would often keep the gates open so that the elephants can cross over without damaging the fence. Meanwhile, efforts are also on to facilitate future surrendering of militants who are taking shelter in Bangladesh soil, Bakshi added.