Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb. 24: The BSF has hit upon a novel idea to keep border residents, particularly young people, from straying into the world of crime. It is giving vocational training in areas such as hairdressing to young people. The programme appears to be taking effect.
Encouraged by the success of the scheme, the BSF today announced several programmes to bring young people back into the mainstream in two villages in Malda district. The exercise bore immediate fruit as five smugglers engaged in border crime surrendered before the DIG, BSF, Berhampore sector, Mr DS Sidhu, at Mahadipur in English Bazaar police station.
Several of the accused men ~ Samir Ghosh, Lakshman Ghosh, Sayed Sheikh, Sabil Sheikh and Israel Sheikh ~ possessed criminal records. The BSF chose to integrate them into the mainstream rather than using tough measures, with considerable success.
“We have been committing crimes along the border to make a living. Many of our friends are still engaged in this work and are at large. We ask them to surrender and return to normal life,” they told the media after the surrender ceremony.
The DIG, Mr Sidhu, said that border crime would come down once people realized it was harmful for their country. “Good relations between the locals and BSF personnel is important as it will lead to better coordination in keeping the borders safe,” he added. Asked about the surrendered smugglers, the DIG said: “We will take the next step in accordance with the law.”
No comments:
Post a Comment