Injured Bangladeshi national rescued

Agartala, Dec 04, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Agartala: Dec 04: Despite ongoing tensions between India and Bangladesh, smuggling activities continue unabated at the Belonia border. Illegal trade is carried out on a daily basis, with allegations of covert collusion between smugglers and personnel from the BSF, Customs, and police.

On Wednesday, Belonia police rescued an injured Bangladeshi national near the Belonia Muhurighat checkpoint and took him to Shantir Bazar District Hospital. The injured man revealed that he had crossed the border illegally by crossing the barbed wire near the checkpoint from Bangladesh early in the morning without a passport. He confessed to regularly engaging in the illegal trade of onions and garlic through smuggling routes. However, he could not provide any details about how he got injured.

The incident has raised concerns over the continuous illegal cross-border trade at Belonia. The role of the police, BSF, and customs officers stationed at the checkpoint has come under scrutiny, as such activities persist despite their presence. The investigation into the circumstances of the man’s injury is ongoing, with the authorities attempting to understand the full scope of this illegal trade and its links to organized smuggling networks.

This situation has sparked questions about the effectiveness of border security measures and the possible involvement of officials in allowing such activities to continue. The local community and the public are demanding more stringent enforcement to curb smuggling and prevent further breaches of border security.