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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/236501.cms
BSF denies reports of influx from Bangladesh
[ 30 Oct, 2006 1712hrs ISTIANS ]
KOLKATA/AGARTALA: Indian border guards on Monday brushed aside media reports that there had been an influx of illegal refugees from Bangladesh through the West Bengal border in the wake of political unrest in that country.
"All these reports are baseless. I think the border crossing that you are referring to is taking place in the minds of the people only," Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General (South Bengal) Somesh Goyal said.
"We have intensified patrolling in view of the Bangladesh situation. There is increased surveillance and all our troopers deployed in the headquarters have moved up," Goyal said.
"All our senior officers are monitoring the situation along the border," he said, refuting reports that thousands are crossing over to the West Bengal side through border posts like Benapole in Bangladesh.
India shares a 4,095 km long border with Bangladesh, including the longest 2,216 km with West Bengal, part of which is porous, riverine and unfenced and prone to frequent infiltration and skirmishes.
Security was also tightened in Tripura that has an 856-km border with Bangladesh, a majority of the area unfenced with just concrete pillars separating the two countries.
"All the border outposts and patrol parties of the BSF have been asked to maintain high vigil along the international border," said BSF spokesperson SK Thakur in Agartala. Training battalions of the BSF were also deployed to prevent infiltration from across the border.
The daily Agartala-Dhaka-Kolkata passenger bus service has stopped since Saturday. This has resulted in a large number of people from both countries being stranded in Tripura and at Petrapol and Benapol border areas of West Bengal.
"A Dhaka bound bus from Tripura had to return with the passengers due to political violence in the bordering district," said a spokesperson of the Tripura Road Transport Corporation.
However, Bangladesh authorities continue issuing visas.
"Issuing of visas for visiting Bangladesh has not been stopped. It is normal," said Bangladeshi official Monir Ahmed, who heads the visa office in Agartala.
Movement of heavy vehicles has stopped in West Bengal too.
"Transportation has stopped since the last two days. No vehicle is plying and we are incurring heavy loss," said travel agent Shib Shankar Dey.
"I had come on an official work. I am in deep trouble. I came through bus and now trying to explore if I can get an air ticket to go back," said Sabir Ahmed, a Bangladeshi stranded in Kolkata.
Visas for Bangladesh are being issued in Kolkata as usual, Bangladesh Deputy High Commission sources said.
At least 25 people have been killed in Bangladesh in violence triggered by a dispute over transfer of political power to an interim administration that will oversee elections in January.
Jatiya Sangsad, the Bangladesh parliament, was dissolved on Sunday after the expiry of the five-year-term of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led coalition government. There have been running street battles between supporters of the BNP and the main opposition Awami League.
BSF denies reports of influx from Bangladesh
[ 30 Oct, 2006 1712hrs ISTIANS ]
KOLKATA/AGARTALA: Indian border guards on Monday brushed aside media reports that there had been an influx of illegal refugees from Bangladesh through the West Bengal border in the wake of political unrest in that country.
"All these reports are baseless. I think the border crossing that you are referring to is taking place in the minds of the people only," Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General (South Bengal) Somesh Goyal said.
"We have intensified patrolling in view of the Bangladesh situation. There is increased surveillance and all our troopers deployed in the headquarters have moved up," Goyal said.
"All our senior officers are monitoring the situation along the border," he said, refuting reports that thousands are crossing over to the West Bengal side through border posts like Benapole in Bangladesh.
India shares a 4,095 km long border with Bangladesh, including the longest 2,216 km with West Bengal, part of which is porous, riverine and unfenced and prone to frequent infiltration and skirmishes.
Security was also tightened in Tripura that has an 856-km border with Bangladesh, a majority of the area unfenced with just concrete pillars separating the two countries.
"All the border outposts and patrol parties of the BSF have been asked to maintain high vigil along the international border," said BSF spokesperson SK Thakur in Agartala. Training battalions of the BSF were also deployed to prevent infiltration from across the border.
The daily Agartala-Dhaka-Kolkata passenger bus service has stopped since Saturday. This has resulted in a large number of people from both countries being stranded in Tripura and at Petrapol and Benapol border areas of West Bengal.
"A Dhaka bound bus from Tripura had to return with the passengers due to political violence in the bordering district," said a spokesperson of the Tripura Road Transport Corporation.
However, Bangladesh authorities continue issuing visas.
"Issuing of visas for visiting Bangladesh has not been stopped. It is normal," said Bangladeshi official Monir Ahmed, who heads the visa office in Agartala.
Movement of heavy vehicles has stopped in West Bengal too.
"Transportation has stopped since the last two days. No vehicle is plying and we are incurring heavy loss," said travel agent Shib Shankar Dey.
"I had come on an official work. I am in deep trouble. I came through bus and now trying to explore if I can get an air ticket to go back," said Sabir Ahmed, a Bangladeshi stranded in Kolkata.
Visas for Bangladesh are being issued in Kolkata as usual, Bangladesh Deputy High Commission sources said.
At least 25 people have been killed in Bangladesh in violence triggered by a dispute over transfer of political power to an interim administration that will oversee elections in January.
Jatiya Sangsad, the Bangladesh parliament, was dissolved on Sunday after the expiry of the five-year-term of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led coalition government. There have been running street battles between supporters of the BNP and the main opposition Awami League.
