Rohingya influx: BSF identifies 140 vulnerable spots along India-Bangladesh border

NEW DELHI: Border Security Force (BSF) chief KK Sharma said on Friday that as many as 140 vulnerable spots have been identified along the 4,096-km long India-Bangladesh border from where Rohingya Muslims could cross over to India.

The largest border guarding force has chalked out a detailed plan to keep a vigil on the "spillover effect of the Rohingyas crossing over to India."

The security at these 140 sections has been strengthened by deploying more manpower and adding technological inputs and gadgets, diverted from other posts, he said while interacting with media at a joint conference with Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) director general Major General Abul Hossain in New Delhi.

The two border forces on Friday concluded their four-day bi-annual DG-level talks, during which several issues like the influx of Rohingyas, smuggling of cattle, fake currency and drugs were discussed.

Sharma said that the BSF, with the help of intelligence agencies, has also launched a campaign to identify and take action against the touts, who could help Rohingyas and enter India themselves.

Interacting with the media, Abul Hossain said that his country has begun the mandatory registration of all Rohingyas entering Bangladesh, as five lakh refugees have already crossed over to the country.

He added that they have assured the BSF that Bangladeshi government policy is very clear and 'does not allow' their soil to be used for any kind of terrorist activity, neither in their country, nor against its neighbour India.

Hossain also said that Bangladesh was also planning to have a fenced border with Myanmar.

"This is a problem in Myanmar and this is not our problem. Five lakh people have already come to Bangladesh. But, this is a problem for our country also ... they (Rohingyas) cannot spread all over the country.

"Our government has taken a decision and the Rohingyas have been put in the Cox's Bazar district," he said, adding they have identified the exit and entry points (of Rohingyas) which are being guarded properly.

"We have started the registration of these people ... we have declared that anybody without registration will not be given any facilities. We have also asked our people to inform about any such person to law enforcement agencies," Hossain said.

He added that Myanmar has told Bangladesh that they will "soon form a joint working committee to find out Rohingyas and take them back."

Sharma also said that the problem was serious and they are doing everything to make sure India is not affected.

"We are both aware that the issue is very very serious as large number of Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh. You are very right in apprehending that the spillover effect of the Rohingyas crossing over to India is also very genuine. Both of us (BSF-BGB) have taken steps. The BGB has ensured that their (Rohingyas) movement is being regulated and they have mounted some 'nakas' and check posts on various routes to ensure that they do not cross over to our side," Sharma said.

He added that BSF has also "sensitised" the local population to inform them about people trespassing across the border.

"...our commanders on the border can speak to each other quickly and share intelligence on any movement of Rohingyas", he said.