BSF action plan for reducing stress levels

Tekanpur, MP, Aug 23 (UNI) The BSF has formulated an action plan for reducing stress levels among its personnel and directives have been issued to the battalions, the force's Director-General A K Mitra said today.

''We cannot make them tension-free but at least it can be reduced,'' he said in a chat with mediapersons after inaugurating a small arms training simulator at a subsidiary training centre here.

Tekanpur is home to the BSF Academy.

The BSF has initiated a campaign for promoting knowledge of the Bangla language that is compulsory for those deployed along the Indo-Bangladesh border, Mr Mitra explained while assuring that his officers and men would not allow infiltrators to seize even an inch of Indian territory.

''For years, Bangladeshis were ploughing 110 acres of Indian land near Surma river along the Kachhar border. Indians did not venture there as the area could be accessed only after traversing Bangladeshi territory,'' he said.

Last year, the BSF disallowed Bangladeshis from ploughing the area and in 2006 a similar attempt by Bangladeshis was foiled.

''However, we have decided that the BSF will not be the first to open fire in any situation. The Tin Bigha corridor is opened for 12 hours on regular basis though Bangladesh is urging that it be kept open round the clock,'' Mr Mitra explained.

For the benefit of the Sixth Pay Commission, three groups were formed by the BSF and would prepare a report on the force's requirements, challenges and expectations.

UNI XC-AC MS PC2301