BSF, police intensify vigilance in border areas

Barasat, Mar 30 (UNI) Border Security Force (BSF) and police have intensified vigilance over bordering areas with Bangladesh, including the riverine borders in North 24 Parganas, to check infiltration from the neighbouring country during the forthcoming elections.

The local police stations have also been alerted North 24 Parganas Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar said here today.

Mr Kumar said it would not be difficult to maintain vigil, if one or two battalions of BSF were withdrawn from the district, as indicated by BSF director general A K Mitra yesterday.

The SP claimed that 250 companies of Central Paramilitary Force along with 5000 district police personnel would be enough to control law and order for free, fair and peaceful elections in the state.

Mr Kumar also said district police had already executed 10,527 non-bailable warrants since November last, leaving a meagre 997 warrants pending.

Nearly 9000 people were taken into custody in North 24 Parganas, following declaration of the elections in West Bengal, which included 726 under specific cases and 6410 under preventive sections, he said.

Police also confiscated at least 40 licensed firearms during recent verifications of nearly 3000 such gun licenses in North 24 parganas.

UNI XC TJP VD DB2257