Border infiltration worries security forces

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 30: The DIG BSF Malda sector Mr PS Tomar said today that illegal infiltration along the Indo-Bangladesh border has become a serious problem to the security of the nation. While addressing a Press meet on the eve of BSF's Raising Day, to be celebrated on 1 December Mr PS Tomar said: “Infiltration of men and material is likely to supply oxygen to terrorist and insurgent movements. If this supply is cut off the flames of the movement would start flickering and fading”. “The border population has dubious characters like smugglers and sympathisers without whose help the extremists would find it difficult to come across or find a shelter after infiltrating into Indian territory,” he added. While speaking to The Statesman, Mr Tomar said: “The zone under the south Bengal frontier has been identified as the transit points for terrorists and it has been established that Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami men are using the border in this zone.” “The villager’s cooperation is needed to curb the menace. It is better if they do not give shelter to unidentified people,” he urged. According to a Press release by the Malda sector BSF, 21 people were killed in BSF firing in 2007 in the border areas comprising parts of Malda and South Dinajpur districts. Out of those killed only two were Indians. This year the border security forces have intercepted a total of 224 Bangladeshi people and 264 Indian citizens who were illegally crossing the border. Malda BSF sector officials claimed they seized smuggled goods amounting to Rs 13.63 crore this year. “The densely populated villages close to the Indo-Bangladesh border need to be shifted. It is getting difficult for the BSF to keep vigilance. In order to shift the population, a proposal has been sent to the government which is still under consideration,” an officer said. Besides, DIG Malda BSF also expressed concern regarding the people who are using Bangladeshi SIM card in India since it would be difficult to trace them if they commit a crime. Two persons were intercepted in this connection last month, he added.