BSF floodlights to reduce crime

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Dec. 4: In order to reduce border crime along India Bangladesh border ‘floodlight’ system has been completed in Hamzapur border outpost area under the control of 72-battalion BSF. Electrification by floodlight along the border will be started soon in the next area controlled by 57-battalion BSF under Malda sector. The DIG Malda BSF sector Mr PS Tomar said: “authorities were not in a position to complete electrification at a time along the border due to sanctioning of funds phase-wise for this job”. “Electrification is must along the border to prevent border crime. In many places where there is no floodlight we have set up some electric bulbs for lighting the border so that criminals fear to come across the border," Mr Tomar said. He remarked that authorities had completed electrification for floodlight for night border patrolling in many places and the project was under process to complete the rest of the borderlines. According to the BSF officials, the central public works department is experimenting new ideas for erecting fencing in low lying areas and riverine zones including the disputed lands due to villagers objections. Out of 319 km long India-Bangladesh border two third of it has come under the fencing project, they said. The BSF officials said some old model fencing which have been damaged would have to be replaced and repaired. After new area operation for Malda BSF sector has got five battalion BSF for guarding 77 border outposts in Malda and South Dinajpur. "If we get extra battalion we will create extra border outposts along the border under Malda sector”, said Mr Tomar.