The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has taken a tough stance along the Satkhira border to prevent illegal infiltration and potential push-in attempts by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), cancelling Eid leave for all personnel and intensifying day and night patrols, officials said on Thursday.
The Satkhira 33 BGB Battalion reported that manpower has been increased and regular patrols further intensified in border areas under its jurisdiction to prevent any untoward incident.
“To ensure uninterrupted duty along the border, the Eid-ul-Azha leave of all BGB personnel on duty at the battalion headquarters and BOPs has been cancelled,” a battalion official said.
Multiple reliable sources said that after the new government came to power in the Indian state of West Bengal, extensive search operations have been launched against illegal immigrants living there. Many Bengali-speaking people have been detained and are being kept in temporary holding centres set up in various border areas before being handed over to the BSF.
There is a fear that these individuals, claimed to be Bangladeshi, could be pushed into Bangladesh by the BSF at any time. Especially in the Hakimpur area of India opposite the Kalaroa border in Satkhira, a large number of Bengali-speaking men, women, and children have already been gathered, sources said.
In this situation, the BGB is on maximum alert along the Satkhira border area. At night, personnel are guarding the border using powerful torches and other equipment.
Strict surveillance has also been maintained to ensure that sacrificial animal hides are not illegally smuggled into India.
To alert border-area residents and assist BGB personnel in preventing illegal infiltration and push-ins, public announcements have been made through loudspeakers throughout Thursday.
Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Ashikur Rahman, Commanding Officer of BGB 33 Battalion in Satkhira, said, “BGB manpower has been increased and patrols intensified all along the Satkhira border. BGB personnel are guarding throughout the night in the responsible areas of each BOP.”
“Our soldiers remain constantly vigilant to prevent any untoward incident by the border security force of the neighbouring country. The Eid-ul-Azha leave of all BGB personnel of the battalion has been cancelled to ensure border security,” he added.
