India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will intensify their efforts to curb infiltration, exfiltration, smuggling, and hostile activities along their shared borders. This decision came from the recent BSF-BGB Inspector General-Region Commander level meeting in Shillong.
Both forces will conduct coordinated patrols day and night to check illegal and hostile activities. Lists of criminals involved in trans-border crimes have been exchanged, and appropriate actions will be taken. Nodal officers are in regular contact, sharing operational information to ensure timely and effective measures.
To enhance surveillance, BSF will deploy advanced technology, including thermal imagers, night vision devices, CCTV cameras, and drones. These tools will help monitor the border more effectively, especially during nighttime. Floodlights will illuminate the area at night, and the border fence will be strengthened with intruder alarms to detect and prevent unauthorized crossings.
Community involvement is a crucial part of the strategy. BSF commanders regularly meet with populations in border villages to gain their support in preventing infiltration and trans-border crimes. These village coordination meetings aim to build trust and cooperation between the border guards and local residents. Additionally, company commanders have established a network of ‘Prahari Mitras’ (community volunteers) who can provide consultation and assistance when required.
Ravi Gandhi, Additional Director General (ADG) of BSF’s Eastern Command, along with Tripura Frontier Inspector General Patel Piyush Purushottam Das, recently visited various bordering areas. During their visit, they interacted with local commanders and other officials to assess the situation on the ground. The ADG directed field commanders to take all necessary steps to curb trans-border crime, including the illegal migration of Bangladeshi nationals.
The border between India and Bangladesh spans four Indian northeastern states: Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Mizoram (318 km), and Assam (263 km), totaling 1,880 km. This vast border includes 43 villages in Tripura with over 4,600 people, making them highly prone to border crimes and challenging in terms of border management.
The joint efforts of BSF and BGB, supported by advanced technology and community involvement, aim to create a more secure and controlled border environment, minimizing the risks of illegal and hostile activities.
