By Firstdespatch Desk Apr 22, 2024
Agartala, April 22 (FD) Since its inception in 1965, BSF has always dedicated its services to the nation. It continues to handle multifarious challenges involving national security, living up to the standard of the motto of the Force, i.e., “जीवन पर्यन्त कर्त्तव्य”.
In the state of Tripura, BSF has been entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the international border stretching up to 856 km. Over the years, BSF Tripura Ftr has taken on multifaceted responsibilities in fighting the insurgency, maintaining the sanctity of the border, and preventing all kinds of trans-border crimes while working under adverse climatic conditions in remote and inhospitable topography and highly malaria epidemic zones in most of its operational areas. BSF Tripura Ftr. has always maintained good coordination with the Govt. of Tripura, the State Police, and other sister agencies while managing its assigned tasks to safeguard the borders and maintain peace and harmony amongst the border population.
BSF Tripura Ftr has achieved several milestones during the preceding year 2023. The following are some of the important achievements of BSF Tripura Ftr during the period from January 1, 2023, up to April 15, 2024:
- OPERATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
- a) Anti-insurgency Front
During the period, BSF Tripura Ftr maintained strong vigilance on the border to prevent trans-border movement of insurgents, particularly in the eastern segment of the state. BSF formations under Tripura Frontier persistently persuaded 18 insurgents of NFLT (BM) Cadre to surrender and join the mainstream of society.
Prevention of Trans-BBorder Crimes (Seizure of Contraband Items)
During the period from 2023 to April 15, 2024, a huge quantity of contraband items worth Rs. 94.56 crore have been seized.
Following is the detail:
SEIZURE OF CONTRABAND ITEMS
S NO. PARTICULARS YEAR 2023-24
Quantity Value
- Yaba Tablets 1,89,843 Nos. Rs. 9,45,79,500/-
- Ganja 22,392.23 kg (Rs. 14,28,94,250)
- Phensedyl/EEskuf 2,11,616 Btls., Rs. 3,91,01,340/-
- Liquor 24,520 Btls Rs. 43,61,606/-
- Cattle 2,582 Nos. Rs. 3,53,27,000/-
- Gold: 5.662565 kg, Rs. 2,48,12,409/-
- Other Contraband Items: Rs. 60,45,76,718/-
TOTAL RS. 94,56,52,823/-
- b) Destruction of Ganja cultivation in a deep area in the state of Tripura
During the period from January 1, 2023, to April 15, 2024, BSF, along with sister agencies and acting independently, conducted a special drive in the depth area and destroyed the following number of Ganja saplings:
DESTRUCTION OF GANJA SAPLINGS
PARTICULARS TOTAL (QTY)
Ganja Saplings
Mature/Immature: 24,14,200 saplings worth
Rs. 24,75,75,000/-
(Twenty-four crore, seventy-five lac, seventy-five thousand)
- c) Prevention of illegal infiltration or exfiltration
Due to strict vigil on the border, troops of BSF Tripura Ftr have apprehended a total 1018 personnel while attempting an illegal crossing of the border. The total number of Bangladeshi and Indian nationals apprehended by BSF is enumerated in the following table:
S NO.
PARTICULARS OUTGOING
INCOMING
TOTAL
1) Bangladeshi Nationals: ,
2) Indian Nationals 289, 396
3) Others Nationals / RIMs 06 118 124
TOTAL: 6, 8
- d) Strengthening of Border Infrastructure
BSF Tripura Ftr took several initiatives to complete the fencing work on the border, as well as by deploying technological solutions and employing other measures. Currently, the Single Row Fence (SRF) work is in progress (with 8 no. gaps) in stretches. The BSF Tripura FTR has also taken initiatives at the local level to plug the Nullah and culvert gaps to prevent illegal activities. The BSF Tripura Ftr has also taken initiatives to install smart surveillance systems (503 no. of surveillance cameras) to enhance border dominance in most smuggling and infiltration-prone areas.
- CIVIC ACTION PROGRAMME
BSF Tripura Ftr has regularly maintained a very healthy and cordial relationship with the border population and organised various civic action programmes over the year. During the period, the following civic action programmes were organised:.
- Medical camp
- Providing amenity items
- Providing study materials and sports items to students
- Recruitment training for youth in bordering areas.
- Vocational training, etc.
- SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Units, Sectors, and HQr BSF Tripura Ftr have been regularly organising various sports and games activities on different campuses by involving the local population, schoolchildren, and also the counterpart BGB personnel to enhance good cooperation and better coordination. Some of the important achievements under this head during the period are enumerated as follows:
- a) The Inter FTR football competition was held at FTR Headquarters Salbagan from October 16 to October 20, 2023. A total of 11 FTRS from BSF participated in the competition.
- Other Social Cause Activities
BSF Tripura has regularly conducted various other social activities on its different campuses and at other public places, as enumerated below:
- a) During this period following the Rozgar Mela held at FTR HQ BSF Tripura:
Held on offer of appointment distributed (including other department Central Govt.)
Offer of appointment handed over by the dignitaries
28.08.2023 Total: 273
(CRPF-80, BSF-100, ITPB- 01, CISF-80 & SSB - 12)
Ms. Pratima Bhowmik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India
12.02.2024 Total: 45
(BSF-13)
(EPFO-04, Postal: 01,Finance Tripura Gramin Bank: 27)
- b) PLANTATION DRIVE: A total of 192403 saplings were planted in FTR HQ Tripura and under the command of Sectors and Units.
- c) Felicitation of widows/NOKs of BSF martyrs and retirees on special occasions.
- d) “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” campaign at all campuses as well as in public places like railway stations, hospitals, schools, etc.
- e) Several programs under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and Meri Mati Mera Desh were organized.
- CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES WITH BGB
BSF Tripura Ftr has always maintained cordial relations with its counterpart BGB at various hierarchical levels. Following are some of the achievements under this heading during the years 2023–24:
(i) 01 Inspector General & Region Comdr BGB Level talks held in the month of September 2023 in Chattogram, Bangladesh.
(ii) Several sector-level commander and commandant-level meetings were held between two border-guarding forces.
(iii) During these meetings, several bilateral issues and bilateral issues pertaining to border management were discussed.
(iv) Conduct a simultaneous coordinated patrol.
(v) Real-time sharing of information
(vi) During the years 2023–2024, several Bangladeshi nationals who inadvertently crossed the border have been handed over to Bangladesh Border Guards as a goodwill gesture.
- Concurrence regarding development works
The year 2023-2024 is a milestone in settling various long-pending bilateral issues between India and Bangladesh through the initiative and persistent efforts of BSF.
During the Director General Level Talk between DG BSF and DG BGB held in the month of June 2023, three pending development works were settled through concurrence on a reciprocal basis. Out of the 05 development works settled on the Indo-BD border, the following 02 were concerned with Tripura.
(i) Construction of a bailey bridge over the Sonai River in the AOR of BOP Mohanpur.
(ii) Construction of a bridge near LCS Rangna Bazar.
During the Director General Level Talk between DG BSF and DG BGB held in the month of 2024, six pending development works were settled through concurrence on a reciprocal basis. Out of six development projects, six settled on Indo-BD borders. The following three works are concerned with Tripura.
(i) Welcome gate, conference hall, viewer’s gallery, and immigration check-post building of ICP Agartala.
(ii) Construction of a land customs station (LCS) in Muhurighat.
(iii) Construction of LCS Paharmura.
During 2023, concurrence from BGB regarding the construction of a single-row fence (SRF) on 11 patches in the Indian Territory (within 150 mtrs of IB) was obtained in exchange for the maintenance and development works of Kasba and Saldanadi railway stations (within 150 mtrs of IB) on a reciprocal basis. Construction of SRF on eight patches on the Indian side and development work on the BD side is in progress.
- NON-LETHAL STRATEGY
To maintain peace and tranquilly on the border and to maintain friendly relations with our neighbour Bangladesh, BSF has adopted a non-lethal strategy while maintaining its commitment to human rights. Cases of firing from lethal weapons have decreased considerably in the last few years and have taken place only in extremely compelling circumstances.
- NIA OPERATIONS AGAINST TOUTS
During 2023, the influx of Rohingya illegal migrants and BD nationals has increased through the state of Tripura. They are using Tripura as a corridor to reach different destinations in India. A well-established network of Touts of Modules across borders exists, which facilitates illegal migration. Touts and harborers have access to and network in different parts of Tripura, and they are involved in facilitating illegal crossing, providing shelters, providing genuine and fake identity documents, and providing assistance while travelling for further destinations. In the month of November 2023, a special operation was launched by the NIA with the active assistance of the BSF, and several touts involved in illegal migration have been apprehended. Prominent infiltration routes have been identified, and BSF, in close coordination with sister agencies, is closely monitoring the activities of touts. This has considerably reduced the number of infiltration attempts by RIMs.
- WELFARE TO JAWANS
1) Ayushman Bharat -
Ayushman Bharat (also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, or PM-JAY) is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Health Authority. It provides cashless healthcare services to serving CAPF personnel. The scheme also covers their dependent family members.
2) E-Awas
The E-Awas system is designed to benefit personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), which includes paramilitary forces. Personnel can access the system online. The system allows personnel to choose and express preferences for quarters based on availability, leading to greater satisfaction.
3) PRAHARI app -
The PRAHARI app is specifically designed for serving Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. The app includes features like user biodata, My Bills, leave filtration, Ayushman, CLMS, CpGrams, eAwas, and recruitment.
4) Inclusion of millets in the diet.
- CONCLUSION
BSF Tripura Ftr has always maintained an exemplary standard of bravery and professionalism in its service to the nation, simultaneously maintaining cordial relations with all sections of society in the State of Tripura as well as with the Counterpart BGB. We are committed to maintaining the same in the years to come. PRESS RELEASE