First ever 'crime-free zone' along international border launched

KALYANI BOP (BONGAON): In a first for both countries, the director generals of the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) declared an 8.3 km stretch of the Indo-Bangladesh border as a 'crime-free zone' on Friday. Both border guarding forces with the help of the civil administrations of the two countries, NGOs and the local populance will help in ensuring that no crime takes place along the stretch that covers the Gunarmath and Kalyani Border Out Posts (BOPs) in India and the Puthkhali and Daulatpur BOPs across the border.

"This will add a new dimension to border management with all countries in the world concerned about terrorism and crimes such as smuggling of drugs and human trafficking. Both the forces will work together to ensure that no crime or anti-social activity occurs along this stretch. We know that the border populations on both sides have relatives across the border. They will certainly want peace and security along the border and we seek their help. Just as the BSF has helped in developing economic activity on the Indian side, we shall also do the same in Bangladesh. Other enforcement agencies will also help us. This will be an example for the whole world," said Major General Abul Hossain, DG, BGB.

According to BSF DG K K Sharma, this is a positive and constructive way of border management. "This decision was taken during the DG level talks in New Delhi in October 2017. While the BSF has brought in more manpower and equipment to secure this stretch, we shall also expect help from people's representatives, NGOs, the local administration and the local people. I can assure that the local population will benefit - both socially and economically - from this move," he said.

"This stretch is one of the most vulnerable with cattle smuggling and other criminal activities prevalent. The idea is to target the more difficult areas along the 913 km of Indo-Bangladesh border under the BSF's South Bengal Frontier. This is a pilot project that will be reviewed after 5-6 months. We will gradually have to improvise and once we develop a system, the stretch will be extended to other trouble-prone areas. For the first time, two border liaisoning posts have been set up smack on the border. These will be manned round-the-clock and if there is any emergency, both forces will move together. From around 100 troops we have increased the strength to 250. We have also brought in more speedboats, motorcycles and equipment like thermal imagers and night vision goggles," PSR Anjaneyulu, IG, BSF, South Bengal Frontier, said.