THE India-Bangladesh border in Assam will be sealed by December. The Assam Chief Minister said the move was a part of the state’s initiative to curb cross-border infiltration and smuggling. The excuse for combating smuggling and cross – border infiltration may not be the actual causes. There are more efficient and strategic techniques for deterring smuggling; however, sealing the border is no excuse. In order to get rid of headache we take medicines— we don’t chop-off our heads. Similarly strict monitoring over the borders and enforcing the law can easily stop smuggling and illegal immigration.
What’s highly objectionable is that referring to a Times of India report the CM said that the government would be taking effective measures to make the state ‘economically vibrant’ and free from ‘ the scourge of illegal migration and insurgency’. The former surely smacks of racial prejudice. Moreover, infiltration or insurgency from Bangladesh, however you try to brand and market it – is a pure myth.
A big coincidence is that the announcement to seal-off the border comes right in the wake of our PM’s visit to West Bengal – how strange to have selected such a sensitive time.
Nevertheless, the first ‘smart fence’ pilot project to plug vulnerable gaps along India’s borders has been already rolled out in Assam. The project is a part of the Modi government’s ambitious plan to completely seal the India-Pakistan and the India-Bangladesh borders in the next few years. It is called the comprehensive integrated border management system (CIBMS).
The system should benefit India to the maximum but must simultaneously contribute in stopping rampant killings occurring at our borders. The killing of Bangladeshi nationals along the border with India has been a contentious bilateral issue. Despite Delhi’s assurance to bring down border deaths to zero, the situation has improved very little over the years. That said – cattle smuggling, intrusion and cutting down of barbed-wire border fence are some of the key reasons behind the continuation of border killings.
In recent times it is contraband drugs which have become the lead item for smugglers. It is right on this point where Indian BSF authorities must focus more to stop smuggling out of drugs into Bangladesh.
According to a number of news reports, most of the Indian drugs are entering the country through Benapole and Haridashpur points in Jashore, Kalaroa and Tala in Satkhira, Godagari and Poradah in Rajshahi, Sona Masjid in Chapainawabganj, Jibannagar in Kushtia, Akhaura in Cumilla, Kasba in Brahmanbaria, Hili in Dinajpur, Bhurungamari in Kurigram and Jaflong in Sylhet.
Instead of fearing smuggling and illegal migration from Bangladesh, the Indian BSF should become more alert to monitor and locate the routes and seal them first.
