The Hindu : National : Alert along Bengal-Bangladesh border

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006
ePaper

National

National

Alert along Bengal-Bangladesh border

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: A "total alert" has been sounded along the West Bengal-Bangladesh border by the Border Security Force (BSF) authorities in the wake of the recent political unrest in Bangladesh and apprehensions that people from that country might try to enter the State in large numbers.

"Our headquarters [in Kolkata] has virtually moved up front to check any such unauthorised movement of people across the border," BSF's Inspector General (South Bengal Frontier), Somesh Goyal told The Hindu here on Monday.

[There have been two incidents of violence along the border in north Bengal since Sunday evening but neither was connected with the political disturbances in Bangladesh.

BSF-BDR fire exchange

There was a brief exchange of fire between the BSF and the Bangladesh Rifles involving nearly 20 rounds in Uttar Dinajpur on Sunday evening - the result of a "misunderstanding" between the two sides over trying to check the smuggling of cattle across the border, BSF's Inspector General (North Bengal Frontier) S. Tewari said.

In the other incident a Bangladeshi was killed when the BSF fired at a group of miscreants found cutting the barbed wire fencing along the border in Cooch Behar early on Monday.]

On the situation along the border Mr. Goyal said: "The movement of a large number of people possessing valid travel documents wanting to either cross over to Bangladesh or come to India has also been drastically reduced."

A number of tourists from Bangladesh, booked to return home on the Kolkata-Dhaka bus service through Petropole, have been stranded following a suspension of transport services since October 28.

"The BSF has intensified patrolling along the State's border with Bangladesh and all our troops have been stationed there," he said.

"If the political unrest continues then there is the likelihood of people trying to enter this side of the border. There has, however, been no such exodus so far," Mr. Goyal said.

Trade between the two countries through the various checkpoints like Petropole in North 24 Parganas and Hili in Dakshin Dinajpur in north Bengal have been virtually suspended.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National