Assam CM visits Bangladesh border

“At a high level meeting with officials of 71 BN BSF, Dhubri sector and district administration at Sonahat Border Outpost, Chief Minister reviewed the slew of measures like double-barbed wire fencing, construction of border roads and installation of 793 flood lights with 28 generator sets that have been initiated to strengthen border infrastructure,” a press release form the Chief Minister’s press cell said on Wednesday.

DIG, BSF, Dhubri sector, Ajai Singh told the Chief Minister that of the total 134-km border in the Dhubri sector, 73.868-km of border roads and 78.977-km border fencing had been completed. There are 24 land border outposts (BoPs) and 21 riverine BoPs, one check post and one administrative base.

Singh said three BoPs at Masalbari, Maha Mayachar and Chowkichar under 17 BN BSF had to be shifted to safer locations because of severe erosion.

The DIG, BSF said that 38 Bangladeshi nationals were pushed back trying to infiltrate into India in the Dhubri sector in the past one year. Fake currency notes, contrabands and narcotics have been seized along the border by BSF personnel besides measures to check cattle smuggling.

Singh pointed out that regular exchanges were being held with their Bangaldesh counterparts and that relationship between the two sides has been ‘very cordial’.

Later, the Chief Minister held a review meeting with Deputy Commissioner, Dhubri and heads of various departments and directed them to gear up development activities along the border areas and riverine areas in sectors like health, education, roads, sanitation, drinking water etc.

Gogoi also inspected Ramraikuti BoP along the international border and interacted with the BSF officials there.

On his way back, the Chief Minister took stock of the progress of the Border Trade Centre.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Assam’s Secretary, Border Areas Development, GD Tripathi and DIG BSF, Guwahati, PC Sharma.