Ex–BSF ADG alleges bureaucrats–illegal Bangladeshi migrants’ nexus

NEW DELHI,  A former additional director general (ADG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday dropped a bombshell alleging that bureaucrats and Forest Department officials in Assam sold large tracts of forest land to illegal Bangladeshi migrants with fraudulent process.

“Most of the forest land in Guwahati and Kokrajhar was sold to illegal Bangladeshis by Revenue and Forest Department officials with the support of bureaucrats,” said PK Mishra, former ADG of the BSF.

He claimed that in the 2016 Assembly elections in Assam, the Badaruddin Ajmal–led party might capture unexpected number of seats, “if illegal migration to Assam continues in such a way”.

Mishra’s statement will no doubt create ripples in the government as well as in the political circle.

It may be mentioned that Mishra was deployed in the extreme areas along the India–Bangladesh border from 1971 till 1990. He had also supervised the border fencing and floodlighting work in Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya and some char areas on the Brahmaputra. Recounting his experience, Mishra said almost all the political parties have been playing vote bank politics with the issue of illegal migration. “Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Maoists are the biggest internal threat for the country, but he never mentioned about illegal migrants, which is in fact a serious challenge to country’s security and demographic situation,” he added.

The presence of about six crores illegal Bangladeshi migrants are posing maximum threat to India’s security.

Referring to the recent carnage in Kokrajhar and Baksa districts, Mishra said until and unless the issue of illegal migration is not taken seriously, such incidents will certainly occur in the near future. 

The former ADG of the BSF has also authored a book titled ‘Bangladeshi Migrants: A Threat to India’, which deals with the problem of illegal migration.

Source: http://www.sentinelassam.com/mainnews/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=191667&dtP=2014-06-01&ppr=1#.U4w9vtyaW-c

BSF organized health awareness camp on Anemia

Shillong, June 01: The BSF organized Health awareness camp on Anemia & and Bone Density screening was organized by Frontier HQ BSF Meghalaya and Composite Hospital BSF Shillong, under the direction of BWWA (BSF Wives Welfare Association). The said camp was inaugurated by Shri S K Tyagi, DIG/PSO of Ftr HQ Shillong and Dr. Tapan Biswas, DIG (Medical)/MS welcome all the participants.

Lectures on Anemia and BMI were delivered by Dr. Menka Bharti, SMO of 44 BnBSF and DrSukhjinder Singh, CMO (SG) CH BSF Shillong respectively. Around 150 Officers, SOsORs and families of BSF personnel of various Sectors/Units under Ftr HQ BSF Meghalaya attended the camp.

Bone mineral density screening was conducted with the help of Pharmaceutical Company and approx. 93 Officers, SO’s, ORs and families of Jawan were screened. Report of BMD simultaneously generated and handed over to the individual. They were supplied with informative brochure apprising importance of Bone mineral density and effects of calcium deficiency and it’s treatment.

The sole aim of the health Awareness Camp was to spread awareness about different ailments, identification of risk factors, and prevention with life style modification including dietary habits, management along with the role of different kind of food/nutrition in maintaining positive health. Health awareness camp is a continuous process of BSF medical setup to keep the troops and their families abreast of the latest development and advancement in medical field. (SP News)

Source: http://spnewsagency.com/the-bsf-organized-health-awareness-camp-on-anemia/

Odisha Police, BSF arrested wanted Maoist commander during joint combing operation

Report by Manoranjan Routray, Koraput: The Koraput district police, in a raid conducted jointly with 202 COBRA and 118 BSF, arrested Mino Hikaka@ Bikash (28), Area commander of Srikakula Koraput Divisional committee of CPI (Maoist), from Musalmunda forest area under Narayanpatna police station on Sunday 1st June 2014.

Koraput SP Awinash Kumar said, Mino Hikoka is a native of village Dumusil under Narayanpatana block and was operating in Narayanpatna area. Mio Hikaka become militia member in the year 2008 and rapidly elevated to the rank of Naxal commander in Narayanpatna area. He was heading Melecha group which was frontal organization of Maoists in the area, entrusted with the task of identifying suspected police informers and recruiting militia in the area, the SP Awinash Kumar said. According to police sources, he has 16 warrants pending against him.

Other than this he is suspected to be involved in various cases of Naxal violence, looting, road blocking, IED blasting etc.

Source: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=50439

Forest Officer rescued by BSF in Great Rann of Kutch

Timely intervention of Border Security Force (BSF) rescued the life of forest officer in Rann of Kutch on Thursday.

East Kutch Forest Department DFO Bhavin Vyas who was stuck in Rann of Kutch in dehydrate condition without any help or hope was rescued by BSF jawan RS Yadav.

With a permission of BSF, Bhavin Vyas and other forest officials and laborers had entered the Great Rann of Kutch on Thursday morning to check erosion of Hanj bet – the place where large colony of flamingos (Surkhab nagar) is located. Hanj bet is situated in the middle of Khavda and Pakistan border in central part of the Rann of Kutch. The terrain is so hostile and unpredictable here, that one needs to have permission of BSF to enter.

Trouble for forest team started when their vehicles stuck in a marshy land of Rann of Kutch. It was a noon time and there was over 42 degree temperature in this open, salty, marshy no-man-land spread over miles. Added to this, the stock of water was over and worst sufferer Bhavin Vyas was not in position to walk a step.

As Forest team didn’t return back in certain time, Khardoi post BSF PSI RM Yadav went in search of Mr. Vyas and others and reached with five liter water and rescued them successfully.

“I am living due to BSF PSI RM Yadav’s efforts,” Vyas told a local media in Kutch after this incident.

Source: http://deshgujarat.com/2014/05/31/forest-official-rescued-from-great-rann-of-kutch/

BSF organized a voluntary blood donation camp

SHILLONG: The BSF organized a voluntary blood donation camp at 44 BN BSF, Mawpat, Shillong on Saturday in collaboration with blood bank department NEIGRIHMS, on the eve of the Battalion’s Raising Day.

BSF personnel are celebrating their raising day by donating their blood to people of Meghalaya and prove that even their joy and celebration are also dedicated to border State population.

The BSF informed that on the eve of the Raising Day Anniversary celebration, more than two dozen Officers and Jawans of 44 BN voluntarily donated blood to NEIGRIMHS as a good will gesture for the people of Meghalaya.

Lectures on anemia were delivered on the occasion and families of BSF personnel of various sectors and units under Frontier head quarter BSF Meghalaya attended the camp.

Source: http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2014/06/01/bsf-celebrates-raising-day/

BSF recruitment 2014 for 317 vacant posts

Communication & IT Directorate (Communication Wing), Border Security Force (BSF), has invited applications for direct and departmental recruitment of Assistant Sub Inspector (Radio Mechanic) (ASI-RM), Head Constable (Radio Operator) (HC-RO) and Head Constable- Fitter (HC-Fitter). Interested and eligible candidates have to apply on or before July 7, 2014.

Vacancy details:

Total vacancies: 317 posts

1. Assistant Sub Inspector (Radio Mechanic): 41 posts

Pay Scale: PB-1 of Rs 5,200- 20,200 with Grade Pay of Rs 2,800 per month.

The candidates should have completed their Matric with 3-year Diploma in Radio and TV Technology/ Electronics/ Telecommunication/ Computer/ Electrical/ Mechanical Engineering or Domestic Appliances or (10+2) or Intermediate or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as selective subjects. The age of the candidate is between 18 to 25 years as on July 7, 2014.

2. Head Constable (Radio Operator): 269 posts

Pay Scale: PB-1 of Rs 5,200- Rs 20,200 with Grade Pay of Rs 2,400 per month

The candidates should have completed their matriculation or equivalent and two-year Industrial Training Institute Certificate in Radio and TV Technology/ Electronics or (10+2) or Intermediate or equivalent with selective subject being Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The age of the candidate is between 18 to 23 years July 7, 2014.

3. Head Constable (Fitter): 7 posts

Pay Scale: PB-1 of Rs 5,200- Rs 20,200 with Grade Pay of Rs 2,400 per month

The candidates should have completed their matriculation or equivalent and two years Industrial Training Certificate in Engine Fitter/ Diesel Mechanic/ Automobile/ Motor Mechanic or (10+2) or Intermediate or equivalent with selective subject being Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The age of the candidate is between 18 to 23 years as on July 7, 2014.

Selection procedure:

The candidates will be selected for recruitment to the advertised posts on the basis of their performance in written examination, PST, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Dictation Test, Documentation, Personal Interview and medical examination.

The selection process will have two phases:

First Phase: Objective type written examination

Second Phase: Preliminary Screening, Physical Efficiency test (PET), Dictation Test, Verification of Original Documents, Personal Interview and Final Medical Examination.

Examination fees:

The candidates have to pay an application fee f Rs 50 through a crossed Demand Draft/ Indian Postal Order drawn in favour of 'The Inspector General/ DIG/Comdt' to whom the application is sent and must be payable at respective SBI/ Post Office.

Female candidates/SC/ ST/ BSF serving personnel are exempted from payment of examination fees.

How to apply:

Interested and eligible candidates are required to send their applications, in the prescribed format, along with self-attested copies of all required certificates/ documents, three recent passport size photographs, application fee DD/ IPO, two self-addressed, stamped envelope with their postal address to any of the 15 designated centres.

Important dates:

Last date for submission of applications: July 7, 2014

First Phase written exam to be held on: August 24, 2014

Second Phase (PST, PET, Documentation, Interview, etc) exam to be held on: September 22, 2014 onwards

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/bsf-is-recruiting-317-posts-2014/1/364618.html

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

Director General Assam Rifles Addresses Troops

Lt Gen RK Rana, Director General Assam Rifles addressed the troops of IGAR (South) on his visit to the formation from 28 to 30 May 2014. The Director General emphasised that the troops of the Assam Rifles have a great responsibility on their shoulders being the ‘Sentinels of the North East’.

The conduct of each soldier should be exemplary, as they are the ambassadors of the Assam Rifles in the state of Manipur. He also called on the troops to work hand in hand with the people of Manipur to bring in an era of peace and development in Manipur, according to a press release of PRO IGAR(S).

Source: http://thepeopleschronicle.in/?p=38374

Assam Rifles seized banned forest products

Based on specific intelligence regarding ferrying of illegal Forest product on NH 102, troops of 24 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) established a vehicle check post at Tengnoupal and apprehended four individuals alongwith banned forest products on May 30, the PRO statement said.

The suspicious vehicle, a white colored Bus Registration Number MN 01 1704 traveling from Imphal to Moreh was stopped for checking, resulting in apprehension of four individuals.

The apprehendees were identified as Gouthang Gangte (29) S/o Songkhogin Gangte of Tengnoupal sub Division, PO & PS -Moreh, Mangkhonen Singson (28) S/o L Haokhotinten Singson, of New Moreh, Shaikholen Toutheng (24) S/o Late Thongngam of Teijang, PO & PS - Chakpikasong, and Thangpao (20) S/o Danmsei of Phoanchong, PO & PS - Moreh, Chandel.

Approximately 216 kgs of Ginseng was recovered from them.

The apprehended alongwith the recovered item were handed over to Forest and Wildlife Department, Imphal.

In another incident, based on specific intelligence regarding smuggling of banned forest items near border area, troops of 9 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) launched an operation in general area Haolenphai of Chandel district and recovered approximately 700 kgs of Red Sander wood on May 30.The approximate cost of these logs is Rs 25 lakh.

The recovered illegal sander wood has been handed over to Forest Department, Imphal West, the PRO added.

Source: http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=16..010614.jun14

Assam Rifles nab a cadre of newly raised DHNA with arms and ammunition

SILCHAR, May 31: With the increased activities of militant groups in the district, the security forces are pursuing their movement and intentions vigorously. An input was received by the Haflong based Assam Rifles Battalion regarding presence of a cadre of newly raised group DHNA in general area of Longmang for extortion and other activities.

Accordingly, the Haflong based Assam Rifles Battalion along with Assam Police launched an operation to nab the cadre recently. The party reached the designated location, cordoned the suspected house, and started searching. On positive identification of the individual, the party sprang into action and apprehended an individual named Babul Haflongbar, self-styled ‘c–in–c’ of DHNA with a pistol and ammunition.

On spot interrogation, the individual confessed of delivering demand to Bokul Bodo, Kalijui Sengyung, Town Committee Chairman, Rinta Hojai, a private contractor and other shopkeepers in Haflong market. A mobile hand set with SIM card was also recovered from the individual. The cadre was handed over to Haflong Police Station for further interrogation.

Source: http://www.sentinelassam.com/cachar/story.php?sec=2&subsec=12&id=193402&dtP=2014-06-01&ppr=1