AGARTALA, June 25 � Although 83 per cent of barbed wire fencing along the Tripura�s Indo-Bangla border has been fenced so far, over 40 patches are yet to be fenced causing security threat.
Besides, around 9 km unfenced border in Sonamura subdivision has been posing serious threat to internal security since smuggling and trans-border movement of anti-social elements are routine activities along the bordering villages, according to law enforcement agencies.
�We cannot deny trans-border movement as there have been reports of infiltration and smuggling in some unfenced patches despite all out efforts by the border guards�, said a BSF official here today.
Of the total Indo-Bangla border, around 83 per cent border has been fenced but over 42 patches are yet to be brought under barbed wire fencing, he said, adding that Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) has agreed to the plan for a single-row fencing along zero line or inside 150 yard in 37 unfenced patches.
�Talks are on with BGB authority to get its approval to undertake fencing work in five more unfenced patches�, the official said.
On being asked about delay in fencing work, he disclosed that in some cases, BGB authority has been opposing while in some areas local villagers are stalling the fencing work.
Latest reports say, around 60 per cent of State�s eastern border line has been fenced and about 40 per cent work are in progress. However, the construction agencies have stopped fencing works because of the onset of the monsoon.
Construction agencies are facing a tough time in carrying out fencing work in Sonamura subdivision. Local villagers don�t want the fencing to come up for �unknown reasons� and the local administration is turning a blind eye to the problem, they said.
According to sources, the BSF, the first line of defence, is also facing trouble in guarding the unfenced borderline in Sonamura subdivision. �We are concerned over the unfenced border areas in Sonamura where smuggling and trans-border movement of anti-social elements are common. Villagers don�t want to shift their home situated along the zero line resulting in a stalemate in the fencing work�, another BSF officer said over telephone.
