New Delhi: With 235 tonnes of food grains
smuggled across the Indo-Nepal border in the first two months
of the year, government has beefed up security in the area to
check the menace.
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which guards the 1,751 km
long border, has asked its personnel at observation posts to
ensure regular presence and keep a round-the-clock vigil to
prevent the smuggling.
According to official data, about 235 tonnes of food
grains have been smuggled along the Indo-Nepal border between
January and February this year.Security personnel have
apprehended 14 persons in this regard.
SSB has also asked authorities at five states --
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim --
to take effective action to stop the smuggling.
"The Indo-Nepal border is open and porous in nature.
Incidence of trans-border criminal activities, including
smuggling of food grains, have been reported. We are taking
strict measures to check it and have beefed up security," a
senior SSB official said.
In 2009, about 231 tonnes of food grains have been
smuggled along the border as against 389 tonnes in 2008 and
105 tonnes during 2007. The force has apprehended 97 persons
in this connection last year.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 15:51