AGARTALA, Dec 3 � The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved a proposal to erect barbed wire fencing along zero line in nine patches of Indo-Bangla border in Tripura.
The MHA has given its nod to go ahead with the proposal after Border Guards Bangladesh authority agreed on it, sources in the Home department here said on Monday.
The areas where fencing work along zero line will be allowed include Kasba Kalibari, Akhaura Checkpost, Agartala Airport, Mohanpur Bazar, Khowai Bazar, Belonia, Sabroom and Kailashahar.
Out of total 856 km Indo-Bangla border, work had got underway to fence 833 km border long time back.
As per the guideline, the fencing is supposed to come up 150 yards from the zero line. Later, it was found that if the guideline � 150 yards from the zero line is implemented along the 856 km, then several important places including temples, markets, towns will go outside the fence.
To save these properties, the State Government has requested the Centre to allow erection of fencing along zero-line in some places. In response, the MHA has taken up the issue with Bangladesh Government and after discussion, the BGB authority agreed to allow erection of barbed wire fencing in nine places.
Now, the work will get underway immediately, an official of Home department confirmed. A length of 670 km Indo-Bangla border has so far been faced while the remaining portion will be fenced by end of this year.
Inspector General (IG) of BSF, Tripura Frontier Dr SK Sharma said the BSF has been giving topmost priority to fully fence the Indo-Bangla border to ensure full-proof security. �The area dominance will be strengthened further once the border has been fully fenced�, he said. As of now, 18 BSF battalions have been engaged in guarding the 856 km Indo-Bangla border.
