BSF submits proposal for fencing on Indo-Bangla border

Kolkata: Amid growing concerns over terrorists using the porous Indo-Bangla border for infiltration, the BSF has submitted a detailed proposal to the West Bengal government about the land needed for setting up fences along the highly sensitive 81.7 km border on an urgent basis.

The issue of erecting fences along the international Indo-Bangla border was in cold storage for last several years. It was taken up just months after the terror attack in Dhaka and various intelligence inputs about how the porous Indo- Bangla border is fast turning into a transit point for terrorists and cattle smugglers.

"The matter of identifying land and survey of land was held back since 2009. But recently the state government had sought detailed proposals from us regarding the amount of land that is required in the south Bengal frontier.

"We have placed a detailed report about the amount of land and alignment that is needed and other basics that is required by the BSF," Sandeep Salunke, Inspector General BSF (South Bengal frontier) told PTI.

According to Salunke, that the BSF had handed over a detailed report of land plots needed in North 24 Parganas, Nadia and Murshidabad district to fence 81.7 km without delay.

Bangladesh and West Bengal share about?2,216.7 km of border.

"Out of the 915 km of border in the South Bengal frontier only 371 km is fenced. So we have sent the proposal for setting up fences in 81.7 km at an urgent basis. These areas are highly sensitive. Fencing would be an added advantage in border patrolling," a senior BSF official said.

According to state secretariat sources, the report was handed to the state chief secretary and home secretary and the process for the survey of the land has already started.

"Yes we had received a report from them. Now the state has?land purchase committee, under the state owns land policy, which will look into it. The BSF will pay for the land and it will be registered under BSF only.

"The process of survey of that land and alignment has started on an war footing. The entire process will be completed very soon," a senior official of the state home department told PTI on condition of anonymity.