GUWAHATI, Oct 18 - The Border Security Force (BSF) has started implementing a mega plan to use all available modern technology to improve vigil along the international border with Bangladesh. Meanwhile, new battalions of the border guarding force are being raised, which will go a long way in improving border management in the days to come.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, the Director General of BSF, DK Pathak said that use of modern technology would act as force multipliers and would be of great help to the border-guarding force. He admitted that the international riverine border with Bangladesh is still considered one of the most vulnerable borders and it is not possible to guard every inch of the riverine border despite patrolling carried out by the BSF personnel. However, he said that use of technology would be of major help to improve management of the riverine border.
The DG, BSF said that four new battalions of the BSF are being raised as a part of the ten-year plan to increase the strength of the border guarding force in a phased manner. Of the new battalions, two will be deployed along the border with Pakistan, while two will be deployed along the border with Bangladesh. The vulnerable patches of the international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh are being identified for additional deployments. The BSF is also going for upgradation of weapons in a phased manner and the old weapons are being replaced.
Pathak revealed that the Government of India has decided to expedite the process of completing the fencing and roads along the international border with Bangladesh. On the other hand, the old fencing in some areas has become almost redundant and that would be replaced by new �smart fencing�. At the same time, the damaged border roads will be reconstructed to ensure free movement of the BSF personnel, he added.
At present movement of militant is not a major problem along the India-Bangladesh border. Though a few militants may try to sneak in from Bangladesh, the problem is not as acute as in the Pakistan border, said Pathak. He also revealed that at present, smuggling, particularly cattle smuggling is a major cause of worry for the BSF along the border with Bangladesh.
Replying to a question, the BSF DG admitted that installation of floodlights would have improved border management by a great deal. He also admitted that the process of installation of floodlights along the international border in Assam remains slow. In some places, floodlights have been installed, but power connection is yet to be given and it is not possible to operate the floodlights only with generators. It is the responsibility of the concerned State Governments to ensure supply of dedicated power to make the flood lights operational and the generators are used only as back up.
