Security tightened at Bangla border

MALDA, Jan. 15: The Border Security Force has intensified patrolling along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Malda following the present unrest in the neighbouring country.The deputy inspector general of BSF, Malda sector, Mr Dharamvir Saraswat, visited a few border out posts in South Dinajpur district today following reports of cattle smuggling. “Though the situation is calm and quite, we are keeping a close eye on the border areas. The Bangladeshi cattle smugglers are trying to sneak into the Indian territory for stealing cattle. Our forces, however, are leaving no stone unturned to prevent infiltration,” Mr Saraswat, said. According to him, three Bangladeshi cattle smugglers have been killed in BSF firing over the past few days in Malda and South Dinajpur districts. Meanwhile, the Malda exporters are facing difficulties in exporting goods to Bangladesh, via Mahadipur border, owing to the ongoing violence in the neighbouring country. It may be recalled that the Bangladeshi importers had recently informed their Malda counterparts that they would not receive goods owing to hike of parking fees at Sona Masjid land customs station in Bangladesh. After the declaration of emergency in Bangladesh, the problem is yet to resolved, the exporter, said. Members of the Mahadipur Exporters’ Association have sought help from the Union commerce minister, Mr Kamal Nath, on the issue. n SNS