Female constables on their way, but where will they stay?

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 30: Malda BSF officers are still undecided on sending proposals to the authorities concerned for acquisition of land for separate accommodation for female BSF constables along the India-Bangladesh border, even as the Centre has already sanctioned funds for the purpose.

The ongoing land acquisition problem in the state following the imbroglios in Singur and Nandigram seems to be delaying proposals for land acquisition in Malda sector, where the 170-km border passes through Malda and South Dinajpur districts.

Although the BSF officers in Malda have plans to increase the number of outposts from 90 to at least 100, they are yet to send any proposals to the authorities considering the problem of acquisition of fertile farmland along the border.

The DIG, BSF, of Malda sector, Mr PS Tomar, said: “Authorities have approved our proposals for sending female BSF constables to our area and have already sent a letter of confirmation to us. The women will be arriving here soon”.

“We will arrange separate accommodation for them in the present set-up of our outposts and other buildings. We will later decide how to provide better accommodation facilities for the female constables here,” said Mr Tomar.

According to the BSF officials, the government has considered the problem of checking crimes ~ smuggling of fake currency and other goods in particular ~ committed by women who take advantage of the fact that they can protest against being searched by male constables.

It may be noted that the BSF officials had reported the menace to their higher-ups.

The female BSF constables will be posted at the gates along the border where local women enter Bangladesh to earn a living, but return without proper checking.