60 kilometers of border area in Tripura are still open, infiltration and smuggling are the biggest challenges: BSF Frontier IG

Agartala, Apr 22, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Agartala: April 22: In a significant development, the Border Security Force (BSF) in Tripura is grappling with the challenges posed by a 60 km open border area in Parvati Tripura. Infiltration and smuggling have emerged as the foremost concerns for the BSF in this region.

During a press conference held on Monday, BSF Tripura Frontier Inspector General Patel Piyush Purushottam Das addressed the issue and outlined the steps being taken to address it. He revealed that plans are underway to install barbed wire fencing in the open border area within the next year. This move aims to enhance security and curb illegal activities along the border.

Tripura, with its 856 km long international border with Bangladesh, has been a focal point for the BSF’s efforts. The force operates tirelessly to maintain border sanctity, combat militancy, and address local law and order issues. Notably, the BSF has achieved significant successes from January 1, 2023, to April 15, 2024.

Key highlights of the BSF’s accomplishments during this period include:

18 extremists affiliated with the banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) (BM) voluntarily surrendered, reintegrating into mainstream society.

The BSF confiscated various items worth Tk 945.6 million during smuggling attempts across the border. These included:

Yaba Tablets: 189,843 tablets worth Rs 9 crore 45 lakh 79 thousand 500., Ganja: 22,392 kg 23 grams worth Rs 14 crore 28 lakh 94 thousand 250.Fensidil: 2,11,616 bottles. Bileti Liquor: 24,520 bottles. Cattle: 2,582. 5.662565 kg worth Rs 2 crore 48 lakh 12 thousand 409. Recovered items valued at Rs 45 lakh 76 thousand 718 crores.

The total contraband value amounted to Rs 94 crore 56 lakh 52 thousand 823.

The BSF destroyed 24 lakh 14 thousand 200 ganja plants, valued at Rs 24 crore 75 lakh 75 thousand.

 A total of 1,018 individuals were apprehended for trespassing during this period.

Despite these achievements, the challenge of infiltration remains persistent. The BSF continues to address this issue diligently, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance and effective border management.