Attacks on BSF men rise on border
KOLKATA: The use of non-lethal weapons, like pump-action guns and stun grenades, by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel along the Indo-Bangla border may have resulted in fewer deaths of Bangla infiltrators, but the attacks by criminals from across the international border on India's border guarding force have gone up. Senior BSF officials brought this matter up with their counterparts in the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) during the recently concluded five-day DG level Border Co-ordination Conference between the two forces in Dhaka.
"Criminals in Bangladesh have come to know that BSF personnel are carrying non-lethal weapons. They are attacking BSF personnel with lethal weapons. We have brought this matter to the notice of the BGB and they have assured increased surveillance along the border. Till date, 2008 coordinated patrols of the BSF and BGB have been conducted along the international border. Numbers have been exchanged at all levels and officers are in direct communication to diffuse any tension along the border," B D Sharma, additional director general, East, BSF, said in Kolkata on Sunday.
According to him, there has been a decline in the number of deaths along the international border since 2009. This has happened due to the issuance of non-lethal weapons and sensitization of troops. The number of deaths in 2009 was 93. In 2010, the figure dropped to 55. In 2011, 17 people were killed along the border and in 2012 so far, the casualty figure is 16. These figures were presented to BGB officials in Dhaka when they brought up the issue of deaths of Bangladeshi nationals along the border. The policy of the Indian government is clear on this subject. During his last visit to Kolkata, P Chidambaram, who was then minister of home affairs, said the BSF jawans have been instructed not to open fire on anyone who has 'succeeded in crossing over' the international border.
There is some consternation regarding this policy among BSF officers and jawans, but the orders are being followed for the sake of better ties with Bangladesh. Unfortunately, Bangladesh doesn't seem to appreciate the efforts made by India. At the same time, Bangladesh continues to raise the issue of narcotics smuggling from India. Sources in the BSF say that this smuggling can't be effectively controlled without use of force. The moment force is used, Bangladesh starts raising the issue of deaths along the border.
According to Sharma, the issue of terror outfits seeking shelter in Bangladesh was also brought up during the talks. Like in the past, Bangladesh assured that action is being taken against anti-India groups on its soil. Whether such action has yielded results is not clear though. The additional DG also said that plans to set up a joint task force on Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) were discussed. Bangladesh, like India, is also hit by the circulation of fake currency. A few years ago, fake currency was detected in the BGB's own headquarters in Dhaka.
"The movement of FICN from Malda to other parts of the country is a major problem. We have written to the district magistrate of Malda to incorporate several villages that have come up between the international border and the fencing on the Indian side. These zero-line villages were set up by villagers who were keen to land across the fence. Today, they have become the conduits for FICN from Bangladesh. Sometimes, bundles of currency notes are simply thrown across the fence. They have also deviced ingenious methods to send in FICN. We have recovered FICN from irrigation pipes even," he said.
On the issue of suicides in the force, Sharma said that it has now been made mandatory for all personnel to go on leave thrice a year. The personnel will be granted 30 days leave twice. On the third occasion, he can proceed on leave for 15 days. The personnel are questioned about the situation at home when they return, to find out if they are suffering from any depression. Vigil is also being kept on the barracks to identify those with a suicidal streak. Once this is done, welfare funds are utilized to bring in family members to spend some time with the disturbed jawan.
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