Amidst concerns over the situation along the Indo-Bangladesh border, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Parliament that border guarding forces are on highest alert. “Our border guarding forces have also been instructed to be exceptionally alert in view of this situation,” Jaishankar told Rajya Sabha.
Border Security Force has cancelled leaves and put on hold administrative courses to ensure additional deployment on the border. “In view of the changed situation in Bangladesh, BSF has issued alert along Indo-Bangladesh border and the number of troops deployed along the border had also been increased,” BSF said in a statement.
However, officials in the border guarding force say so far there has been relative calm along the border. Sources told CNN-News18 that the number of infiltration attempts over past few days has not gone up at the Indo-Bangla border. “The average numbers have been around a dozen or two on a day to day basis along the border before the current crisis began. We have not noted any significant change over the last few days,” an officer in the border guarding forces told CNN-News18.
Concerns Over India-Bangladesh Coordination At Border
But there is concern over the law and order situation in Bangladesh and how quickly it can be controlled. “BGB patrolling has visibly reduced on the Bangladesh side. Strength has also gone down perhaps because they have been pulled out for law and order duties to the hinterland,” a senior MHA officer told CNN-News18.
Another officer who recently debited charge in the BSF pointed out that coordination between BSF and BGB had improved immensely over the years and if a change in government in Dhaka changes that equation, it could squander the positive gains of the last few years. “Cow smuggling, infiltration, FICN had all gone down. At DG level conference between BGB and BSF, a mechanism of stopping infiltration and immediate handing over of illegal migrants especially children and women, was worked out. The current situation requires BSF to be doubly vigilant,” the officer said.
Riverine borders where fencing is often drowned or washed away are also being closely watched for any illegal movement from the Bangladeshi side. Officials said that amidst reports of Hindu houses and temples in Bangladesh being targeted, the BSF and district police in border states are also watching out for any communal flare up.
“Close watch is on at border villages to avoid any communal flare up amidst reports of Hindu minorities getting attacked in Bangladesh,” a source said.
DG BSF Daljeet Chowdhary has also been taking stock of the border preparedness. On day 2 of his visit, Daljeet Chowdhary visited Petrapole in 24 Paraganas of West Bengal. “His visit will be a morale booster for the forces in heightened alert,” officials said.
Truck movement has remained restricted at the IPCs across the border after curfew was imposed in Bangladesh.
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