NGT order on coal mining led to decreasing inflow of FICN: BSF

FROM OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, May 9: The inflow of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) from Bangladesh into Meghalaya has come down drastically in the past few months and one major factor is the tiol Green Tribul (NGT) ban on unscientific coal mining in the State.

Disclosing about the decreasing trend of FICN smuggling, spokesperson of the Border Security Force (BSF) Meghalaya Frontier SK Singh, said, “One major factor is probably due to lesser transhipment of coal to the neighbouring country after NGT’s ban on unscientific coal mining.”

According to the BSF official, FICN are pumped inside the Indian territory for payment to the exporters on the excess coal ferried to Bangladesh. “Since the scope of carrying of excess coal has been checked and the volume of trade transaction dwindling, we have witnessed a significant decline in the inflow of FICN,” Singh remarked even as he added that an improved border magement policy combined with the decreasing economic activities along the Intertiol borders could also be another reason.

He also said that in the past four months, there was not a single case of FICN seizure along the Meghalaya stretch of the Indo-Bangladesh border - the last being the seizure of Rs 1.48 lakh from the Bagmara area of South Garo Hills district. Holding the decrease of FICN inflow as a healthy sign, Singh further informed that printing of the FICN of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomition is not a difficult task for any person with crimil intent. He admitted that such elements are present in Bangladesh, and that the Border Guards Bangladesh (BBG) have been kept informed on the source of FICN in the neighbouring country.

Moreover, the BSF official also said the cattle smuggling to Bangladesh through the Meghalaya porous border has also come down in the past one year.