BSF deployed to counter insurgency in Tripura

BSF deployed to counter insurgency in Tripura
UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

AGARTALA, DECEMBER 12: The Border Security Force (BSF) has been given a new role to combat insurgency along the Indo-Bangla border even as the border men continue their counter insurgency operations in the state along with other Para Military Forces to flush out the two decades old militancy in Tripura.

BSF's Tripura, Cachar and Mizoram (TCM) Frontier Inspector General Bikram Chandra Goel said here that keeping in view of its successful anti-insurgency operations in the state, two additional battalions have been inducted to strengthen the anti-militancy operations. The TCM frontier is currently guarding about 1333.5 kms of international border with 201 border out posts (BOP) along the Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Myanmar border, where at present 13 BSF battalions are deployed.

Goel said that several measures have been taken to check the militancy along the border and inside the state. These include, setting up of nakas, introduction of modern equipment and strengthening the intelligence net works.

As per anestimate of the Border Management Committee, at least 12 BSF battalions should have been deployed along the 856 km long Indo-Bangla border with Tripura, while at present nine such battalions were guarding the porous border. Goel pointed out the need for more BSF jawans to effectively guard the border.

Now one BSF battalion is deployed to guard about 95 km stretch of the border with Tripura while 45 km stretch of border was guarded by one battalion BSF along the Punjab border.

He said the BSF had seized contraband goods worth Rs 30 crores and apprehended 3,776 infiltrators and smugglers during the past five years. They also apprehended 197 militants and collaborators and liquidated 20 extremists during this period in this frontier.

To consolidate the anti-insurgency operation, fencing along the border will start from April, 2000, Goel said. The process would be completed within the next five years, he assured.

The BSF has planned to introduce satellite based communication networks within the next twoyears, Goel said adding that the terrain of Tripura, Mizoram and Cachar was extremely inhospitable because of hills and dense forests.