The North News
New Delhi, March 13
The Indian government has stepped up security along the Indo-Bangladesh border with advanced surveillance systems, increased personnel, and enhanced cooperation with Bangladesh to tackle illegal migration and cross-border crime.
The measures include deploying surveillance equipment such as Hand Held Thermal Imagers (HHTI), Night Vision Devices (NVD), drones, CCTV cameras, infrared sensors, and the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), which has been piloted in Dhubri, Assam. Border areas have been illuminated with floodlights and solar-powered lights, while riverine sections are secured using boats and floating Border Outposts (BOPs).
The Border Security Force (BSF) has intensified patrols, set up additional observation posts, and conducts joint operations with local police and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Intelligence networks have been reinforced to track human traffickers, and fencing has been upgraded in high-risk areas. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai outlined these steps in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
Under the Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines of 1975, BSF and BGB hold regular interactions at various levels. A Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) signed in 2011 also facilitates meetings between BSF and BGB nodal officers to address security concerns. To further bolster border security, the government has established additional observation posts, increased BSF personnel deployment, expanded border fencing and floodlighting, strengthened surveillance in riverine areas with watercraft and floating BOPs, integrated advanced technology, including twin telescopes and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), upgraded intelligence-sharing mechanisms and coordination with state governments and security agencies.
The BSF has also taken a proactive approach to community engagement, holding local meetings, deploying dog squads, and increasing vehicle patrols. Additionally, 15 BSF-led Anti-Human Trafficking Units have been set up to combat smuggling networks.
