Border fencing in Dhubri incomplete

GOLAKGANJ, Feb 1— Indo-Bangla border fencing in different places of Dhubri district, planned in order to check illegal cross-border activities, is yet to be completed. About 120 km of Indo-Bangla border falls in Dhubri district, out of which 46 kms towards the north bank of the river Brahmaputra and few kms from Mankachar to Deepchar (pillar No 1052) towards the south bank of the river has already been completed a few years back. However, in about 60 kms area in the district, the border is open due to the non-completion of border fencing. Out of this about 25 km in covered by the water body of the rivers Brahmaputra and Gadadhar where border fencing is not possible. These river areas are guarded by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel with speed boats and engine-fitted country-boats. Due to the absence of border fencing in various places of the district, goods like salt, sugar, kerosene, wood, ganja, medicine, DDT powder, cattle etc. are being smuggled to Bangladesh through land and water without the slightest difficulty. Border fencing in South-Salmara- Mankachar sub-division from Deepchar (pillar No. 1052) to Montrirchar BOP is yet to be completed, of which about 10 km area from pillar No. 1042 to 1052 comprises mostly char areas and water body of the Brahmaputra. Moreover, though border fencing is already complete from Kusnimara to Sadurtila (near Mankachar), a number of man-made holes were found on the fence by a group of journalists — recently when they were visiting the areas. It is suspected that smugglers can enter Bangladesh through these holes. People residing in these bordering areas have been passing sleepless mights due to fear of Bangladeshi robbers and burglers. The open Indo-Bangladesh border is in fact, encouraging anti-social and anti-national elements.