GUWAHATI, July 1 � Flood and erosion may pose a threat to the security of the nation in the days to come as a portion of international fencing in Dhubri district has been eroded away, while, a number of border outposts (BOPs) of the Border Security Force (BSF) have also been eroded by the mighty river Brahmaputra.
The DIG of BSF, Dhubri sector, Mohan Lal told The Assam Tribune today that around 200 metres of the border fencing in the Char Binnachar area of Dhubri district has been eroded and a number of BOPs have to be shifted because of high floods.
The DIG said that a number of BOPs are under four to four and half feet deep water and the men and material have to be shifted to safer places. He revealed that in most cases, the BOPs have been shifted to boats and in addition to its own boats, the BSF had to hire boats for the purpose.
A number of BOPs of the BSF have also been eroded away, which is turning out to be a major problem for the border guarding force. Lal said that a major portion of the BOP at Masalabari char has been eroded away. Masalabari BOP is considered one of the most important posts of the BSF as the international border passes right through the char and people of both India and Bangladesh live there. In addition to that, several other BOPs including those located at Mahamaya Char, Chowkichar, Ghaspara , Salapara, New Diwaner Alga etc are under threat because of severe erosion.
When asked whether floods and erosion affected border management, Lal said that the BSF is carrying out regular patrolling along the riverine international border with speed boats and other engine fitted boats. He said that in the past also, the BSF faced such problems and �we took adequate measures to keep surveillance along the border based on the past experience.� He also pointed out that due to high floods, the people living near the international boundary in both India and Bangladesh have moved back to safer places, which also reduced the chances of trouble along the border.
The BSF DIG said that floods and erosion have become regular phenomenon and the Government is well aware of the problems created by erosion. He expressed the view that there is need for developing technology to protect at least the BOPs of the BSF so that regular vigil can be maintained by the personnel without much of a problem.
