4.35km open Indo-Bangladesh border in Assam’s Karimganj to be fenced

Assam additional chief secretary of home and political department Kumar Sanjay Krishna said this on Wednesday while visiting the India-Bangladesh international border at Karimganj.

He reviewed various problems of the border area at a meeting held at the International Trade Centre, Sutarkandi in Karimganj and took stock of the development works in the border area.

Krishna said the 4.35km open border will be fenced in Karimganj town at a meeting with the district administration and the Border Security Force.

He said the Government is well aware of the problems of people residing in the border areas.

The meeting also discussed the Elephant Corridor constructed at Indo-Bangladesh Border at Champabari of Karimganj district to facilitate smooth movement of elephants between India and Bangladesh. The ‘high-mast light’ was fitted in the corridor to check human infiltration through it.

Earlier, Krishna visited the zero point at border in Sutarkandi of Karimganj district with BSF officials and deputy commissioner M.S. Manivannan.

He was briefed about a smart fencing measuring 3 km completed in Latitila, the disputed place which was demarcated a few years back.

The BSF officials stressed on the need of shifting one cremation ground at Cherakuri area of the district. The BSF officials also emphasised on shifting of people residing inside the fenced area in the Border.

The BSF also requested to expedite the work of ‘High Power Line’ executed by APDCL in the district. Krishna was also apprised that due to strict vigil at the Border, infiltration and smuggling have come down to a large extent.

Around 25 cattle seized from the smugglers are in the custody of BSF for the past three months.

Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta, Special DIG (Border) asked the BSF to seize illegal goods following guidelines.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)