By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Border Security Force (BSF), which is mandated to guard the Indo-Bangladesh border, has been performing its duties in close cooperation and mutual understanding with the border population.
Besides guarding the border and ensuring the safety and security of the border population, the BSF proposes to undertake a number of steps to improve the quality of life and welfare of the border population.
In order to better understand and appreciate the problems and expectations of the population staying along the international border, Sudesh Kumar, Inspector General, BSF Meghalaya Frontier has initiated the public outreach programme.
As first step, he undertook a visit to the Border Outposts (BOPs) in the Jaintia Hills District from February 9-10. He interacted with the villagers from Umkiang, Dona, Rattachera, Kuliang and Pyrthakona at the Umkiang BOP.
The villagers highlighted the difficulties being faced by them and requested the IG BSF to take the required steps to address their problems.
They also requested him to provide a few educational aids and sports items to the local schools in the area. The IG assured them to provide the required assistance under the Civic Action Programme of the BSF.
The villagers profusely thanked the IG for his initiative and requested for similar interaction with them at regular intervals in order to improve the mutual understanding between the BSF and the border population. The IG BSF requested the villagers to encourage the educated youth from their villages to join the BSF as the representation in BSF from Meghalaya is very low.
He assured the border population that the BSF is guarding the international border for ensuring their safety, security and well being.