The Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) has failed to put self-illuminating tapes on border pillars. These were meant to curb smuggling and contain tension across the border.
As a result, the BGB is facing problems during patrolling at night, which, in turn, has resulted in unabated smuggling and stealing of border pillars, according to sources in the home ministry and the BGB. The Border Security Force (BSF) of India has already put such tapes on pillars on their side, the sources added.
BGB director general (DG) Major General Aziz Ahmed told The Independent that the government had decided to put the tapes on all border pillars a long time ago, to solve some serious security issues. However, the authorities are yet to give permission and financial assistance for this, he added.
“Our jawans are facing problems during night patrols at the border,” he said.
According to the DG of the land record and survey directorate, Md Abdul Mannan, the authorities have approved putting such tapes on border pillars.
Home minister Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir told The Independent that his ministry would take steps to put the tapes on a priority basis.
“Our border security force is carrying out patrolling under the Coordinated Border Management,” he said.
Sources report that more than 50 categories of Bangladeshi goods are being smuggled into India daily. These include edible oils, diesel, fertilisers, fabrics, contraceptives, DVD discs, mobile handsets, vegetable seeds, fish feeds, fish varieties (including hilsa), raw hides, insecticides, jute, cycles, quilts, jerrycans, saris, water pumps, cow hair, potatoes, varieties of plants, cement, glassware, melamine products, snacks (such as chanachur), rubber, testing salt, plastic products and Akij bidi.
On the other hand, edible oils, diesel, fertilisers, fabrics, contraceptives, onions, garlic, fabrics, salt, medicine and plastic products are being smuggled by boat into Myanmar. The products being smuggled are much costlier in India and Myanmar.
The sources also allege that every year, goods worth USD 1 billion are smuggled into the neighbouring countries in collusion with a section of the border security forces on both sides.
To curb smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border, the BGB has set up border special posts (BSPs) in the middle of the border outposts in 23 districts of the country.
The BSF of India has also started setting up BSPs at different bordering points, BGB sources said.
To maintain vigil on smuggling activities, the BGB has introduced night-vision binoculars at 50 border points.
The government has also introduced fake currency detection machines at all the land ports of the country. This has been done to curb smuggling of fake currency, especially the Indian rupee and Bangladeshi taka.
-With The Independent input
