8.3km declared 'crime free zone'
Bangladesh and India's border forces yesterday for the first time announced an 8.3 kilometres of their common border area as a “Crime Free Zone”.
The joint operation of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was inaugurated during a director general-level border conference at Putkhali border in Benapole and Kaliyani border in India.
Jessore-1 constituency lawmaker Sheikh Afil Uddin, BGB Director General Maj Gen Abul Hossain and BSF Director General Shri KK Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Asraf Uddin of Jessore, Benapole Municipality Mayor Asraful Alom Liton, local government officials from both the countries and senior officials from BGB and BSF were present on the occasion.
Lt Col Ariful Haque, commanding officer of BGB 49, said the “Crime Free Zone”, launched by the directors general, is Putkhali and Doulatpur areas in Bangladesh and Gunarmath and Kaliyani in India.
Earlier in October 2017, the decision on the initiative had come from a DG-level bilateral meeting of BGB and BSF, said BSF Sector Commander Mridul Sen.
The main goal of the operation is to prevent human trafficking, smuggling, and anti-social and criminal activities.
BGB has already set up various types of border surveillance devices such as CC cameras, searchlights and thermal image detectors in Bangladesh portion. At the same time, BGB is creating awareness among the locals on crime prevention.
BGB and BSF will keep constant surveillance through mutual cooperation and coordination in order to prevent cross-border crimes such as women and child trafficking, smuggling of arms and explosives.
BGB and BSF are working in order to declare other border areas “Crime Free Zone”. BGB and BSF directors general said drones will be jointly used to prevent crimes. They assured that if the pilot project is successful, 4,996km of the border areas will be brought under the “Crime Free Zone”.
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