BSF-BDR joint patrol Tripura-Bangladesh border

Agartala, May 9 (UNI) To ensure better coordination between India and Bangladesh, Border Security Force(BSF) and Bangladesh Rifles(BDR) jointly carried out patrolling along the international border in Tripura this morning.

BSF officials here said seven jawans in each side inspected about 3.5 km border in Lankamura area of Agartala. Sub-Inspector Pawan Kumar Dull led the BSF team while Subedar Arun Kumar headed the BDR jawans.

''It is a routine activity of the border security forces in both countries, as the main aim of the task is to inspect the border posts as well as security measures in borderline,'' officials stated adding ''since we are the only security men in the bordering villages, it's our duty to make the civilians understand about border management.'' Officials have also claimed that the joint patrolling along the international border always helps the security forces to contain untoward incidents in the localities.

Tripura has 856 km international border with Bangladesh and so far fencing work was completed in only about 400 km areas. Agartala is the only capital town of Indian situated along the international border.

According to the External Affairs Ministry about 15 to 16 lakh illegal Bangladeshi migrants were staying in India and the Centre had taken up the issue with the previous Khalida Zia government in Bangladesh.

Quoting ministry officials BSF said, ''Physical measures like fencing the border and building roads along the border have already been taken up to check illegal migration from Bangladesh.'' In respect of anti-India activities in Bangladesh by northeast insurgents, the officials said the government took up the matter with Bangladesh and had received assurances from the highest quarters of curbing it.

UNI