The Border Security Forces (BSF), with its counterpart in Bangladesh — Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) — has started identifying sensitive patches along the international border to start joint-patrolling to control the trans-border crime in Cachar-Mizoram Frontier of Northeast.
Talking to this newspaper, inspector-general of BSF (Cachar-Mizoram Frontier) M.L. Batham said, “We have started identifying sensitive patches on the basis of past records and by exchanging the list of criminals and their possible area of operations.”
He said that modalities of the joint patrolling are also being worked out as the BSF has very cordial and working relationship with its counterpart in Bangladesh in this sector.
Claiming that smuggling through the border has come down drastically, Mr Batham however admitted that smuggling of fake Indian currency was the major area of concern.
“As fake currencies are not produced in Bangladesh, it was coming from third country, we will have to work out joint strategy with BGB to contain this menace,” said Mr Batham indicating that criminal gangs are using Bangladesh to dump these fake currencies in India.
He said records and recoveries indicate a substantial fall in smuggling through this sector, which can be attributed to the improved intelligence gathering network of the BSF. He said they have intensified vigilance along the stretch of riverine border in Cachar and Mizoram sector. “We have taken steps to strengthen our vigilance in Mizoram also as there have been instances of arms smuggling through this sector,” said Mr Batham.