Indo-Pak model sought to fence Bangla border

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, April 1: The India-Bangladesh intertiol border in Assam should be maged at par with the India-Pakistan intertiol border and the department concerned of the Assam government should move the Ministry of Home Affairs to take action in this regard accordingly. This was stated in a report of the all party delegation of the Assam Legislative Assembly constituted by the Assembly Speaker to study the type of fencing erected along the India-Bangladesh and the India-Pakistan borders.

The delegation, in its report, has recommended that the country’s eastern border  should be maged similar to that of the western border of the country. “The people living near the zero point should be shifted to suitable places, if necessary; giving suitable compensation so that border fencing could be erected for prevention of infiltration and trans-border illegal activities,” the report stated.

The report said there are number of gaps in the India-Bangladesh border. “Most of these gaps are unfenced or riverine borders and people can infiltrate easily into India through these routes,” the report stated, adding, “More riverine border outposts with modern equipments should be set up to prevent infiltration through these vulnerable gaps.”

On the issue of cattle smuggling, the delegation has recommended to discontinue the cattle markets established along the border in Dhubri district to prevent cattle smuggling. “More border outposts should be manned by BSF personnel and police stations should be set up to prevent infiltration of people, smuggling of currency notes, drugs and cattle,” the report stated.

The delegation also visited Dumabari and Lathitilla areas located along the Indo-Bangla border in Karimganj district. These two areas are considered to be disputed spots. “The Karimganj town, headquarters of Karimganj district, is situated on the bank of the Kushiyara River which is treated as an intertiol border. As per the agreement, the border fencing can be erected only at a distance of 150 yards from the zero point,” the report said, adding, “The Assam Accord Department should take up the border fencing matter immediately with the appropriate authority of the Central government to erect fencing in Karimganj town.”

The delegation has recommended that all measures should be taken to prevent land erosion along the Kushiyara River, which has become a threat to the existence of border outposts and border fencing.  

The report stated that the border area development programmes should be implemented as early as possible and the funds sanctioned by the Central government should be utilized without any delay. “The department concerned of the State government should move the Central government for providing more funds for the development of the India-Bangladesh border areas,” the report said.

On the erection of barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangla border, the report said, “To review the progress of erection of barbed wire fencing, construction of border roads and installing street lights and other such works should be regularly reviewed.”