Sashastra Seema Bal intensifies vigil along Indo–Bhutan border

KOKRAJHAR, May 31: The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) guarding the porous Indo–Bhutan border apprehended 87 persons for their alleged involvement in illegal activities till May this year.

According to the sources of 16th Bn, SSB, as many as 87 persons have been apprehended in the year 2014, 18 persons in 2013 and 7 persons in 2012 for illegal felling of trees, possessing illegal arms, and smuggling activities. The SSB personnel also seized two arms recently. In 2014, the SSB seized forest products worth Rs 12,99,140 and other illegal products worth Rs 27,05,650. The SSB personnel could manage to seize forest products worth Rs 44,78,457 and Bhutanese liquor amounting Rs 10,000 and other Rs 4,05,000 in the year 2013. In 2012, the SSB personnel seized forest products worth Rs 3,78,263 and Bhutanese liquor value of Rs 72,150. They also seized other illegal products amounting Rs 22,30,400.

The SSB sources said that there is no official report from the Bhutan counterpart about the militant groups sneaking into the Bhutan territory and established camps. Sources also revealed that there are no any such permanent camps within the territory of India by any militant groups including the dreaded NDFB (S) militants.

Senior officer said that the militants limited themselves into four cadres and frequently change their shelter in the villages (reportedly encroachers in the forest). He said that the co–ordination with the Bhutan counterpart is good and relationship to work collectively for maintaining the border has been smoothly functioning.

The 16th Bn SSB is assigned to guard the international boundary from 150 border pillar (Saralpara) to 174 border pillars (Sashipur), a distance of 38 km for the better relationship and co–ordinate efforts with the neighbouring Bhutan. They were also given responsibility the charge of 15 km distance inside the Indian territory from the border for the security. Sources said that there are 8 Border Out Post (BOP) that were given the responsibility to the 16th Bn SSB to guard international border at the locations Dadgiri, Aie Poali Sashipur, Baghmara, Sonapur, Kokrabasti, Dholtora, Narani and Saralpara.

The SSB sources said that there are no electricity facilities in the BOPs barring in two locations. They have to face the problems especially during the night and the only alternative is the generator and sometimes it has to be repaired. The major problem for the patrolling of jawans is due to lack of border roads.

Meanwhile, heavy erosion has been taking place since the last few years in the Sonapur area. There is hardly 50 metres distance that the Sonapur BOP is likely to be swallowed with the heavy water current of Paithanala river that flows from Bhutan. SSB sources said that demands for the construction of embankments along the Paithanala river were put forwarded to the higher authority to prevent erosion and proper border roads for the easy movement of patrolling party to guard the porous border. Some of the BOPs had to store their foods and materials prior to heavy rainfall as the flood prevents easy access with rest of the BOPs and villages. “The felling of trees and encroachment of forest land are other issues which needs to be tackled effortlessly”, SSB sources said.

Source: http://www.sentinelassam.com/state1/story.php?sec=2&subsec=2&id=193408&dtP=2014-06-01&ppr=1