From Our Correspondent
AMPATI, Nov 4: Alert border residents of the village of Boldamgre in the district of South West Garo Hills (SWGH) were able to hold 7 Bangladeshi nationals who had crossed over to Indian territory following a major operation by a joint BSF and state police since the evening yesterday, Nov 3.
As per reports, information of an infiltration attempt that was to be made was relayed by sources to the BSF and the police following which an operation was launched.
Despite the tight vigil and all night patrolling, the infiltrators somehow managed to dodge security forces and entered India.
However the efforts of close ties with the local village communities that have been undertaken by both BSF and police forces provided the pivotal breakthrough after the 7 were seen by villagers of Boldamgre where they had apparently fled to.
The alert villagers questioned the 7 suspects and upon learning they were not from India, immediately informed the Kalaichar Outpost under which Boldamgre falls. The 7 were then taken into custody and later arrested under the Foreigners Act and an investigation has been launched.
“This apprehension was part of ongoing joint operations between the District Police of South West Garo Hills and the Border Security Force (BSF) along the India-Bangladesh international border. During these operations, villagers are routinely alerted and encouraged to report any suspicious activity, thereby strengthening border security,” informed a communiqué by the district police.
A case has been filed at Mahendraganj police station regarding the apprehension of the seven Bangladeshi nationals.
The apprehended individuals have been identified as Angur Hussain Afrib (20), son of Jarib Uddin, from Balimari Beparipara, PS Rajibpur, District Kurigram, Bangladesh, Amir Ali (35), son of late Poker Ali, from Beparipara, PS Chilmari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh, Chand Miah (60), son of late Solimuddin Hussain, from Bokbanda, PS Romari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh, Md. Bukul Mia (32), son of late Isa Hoque Ali, from Beparipara, PS Chilmari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh, Mir Jahan (45), son of late Samsul Hoque, from Romna Beparipara, PS Chilmari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh, Md. Rasel Ali (35), son of late Abul Hussain, from Jhorgas Beparipara, PS Chilmari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh and Biblop Miah (35), son of late Bahadur Miah, from Romna Beparipara, PS Chilmari, District Kurigram, Bangladesh.
A range of items, including a Bangladeshi passport, Bangladeshi currency notes, mobile phones, and Bangladeshi SIM cards, were recovered from their possession.
Today’s case is the third such detected case of infiltration by Bangla nationals.
Earlier on Sep 27, based on intelligence reports, ten Bangladeshi nationals traveling toward Zikzak in an auto-rickshaw were apprehended at Boirakupi, Zikzak. A case was registered and is under investigation.
Another incident occurred on Oct 8 when a Bangladeshi national was apprehended in Bakdagre, PS Mahendraganj. Based on reliable information, the District Police conducted an operation at 9:30 PM and apprehended the suspect. Another individual managed to escape, using the darkness to evade capture. In this case, both the Bangladeshi national and the local resident who provided temporary shelter were arrested, with investigations ongoing.
Attempted cases of forceful entry into India along the various borders of Garo Hills have increased over the past few months since the beginning of the unrest that began in Bangladesh and ultimately led to the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government.
While there have been 3 such recorded instances in the district of SWGH, at least one such case was detected in the SGH where one such infiltrator lost his life after suffering a heart attack when chased by security personnel.
In WGH, at least 8 such incidents have been reported since the skirmishes in Bangladesh.
While Garo Hills has mostly fenced off its border with Bangladesh, many places are still vulnerable to encroachment, including rivers, bridges among others. Further with no man’s land falling beyond the fencing, border gates are opened on a daily basis for agricultural activities.
While most border residents across both countries respect the situation, unscrupulous elements can always take advantage of the situation in an attempt to infiltrate into India – a country where the opportunities are apparently boundless for those that take the risk to come through.