Sharp drop in cross-border influx, smuggling in West Bengal, claims BSF

Kolkata, Apr 13: Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, there has been a sharp decline in cross border infiltration, smuggling of contraband goods, cattle and fake Indian currency notes on Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal in the past few weeks, claimed the officials of Border Security Force (BSF).

It is an open secret that the Indo-Bangladesh border has been porous and notoriously known for infiltration, smuggling of cows, contraband goods and narcotics drugs. Infiltration on a large scale has been the boiling political issue in West Bengal and other northeastern states of India as well.

BSF IG of South Bengal Frontier Y B Khurania informed that the outbreak of the Wuhan virus has caused a sharp fall in infiltration and smuggling of cattle, fake Indian currency notes and narcotics drugs, etc. Bangladesh shares a 2,216 km border with India of which South Bengal Frontier has 915 km border out of which only 372 km id properly fenced.

Khurania further said that there has been no relaxation in border vigil on part of the BSF, infiltration, and smuggling across the South Bengal border has reached a “rock bottom level”.

The fake currency notes thrown at the Indian side of the border were just photocopies of the original currency notes which has “hugely hit the high-quality fake Indian currency notes trade”, another BSF official said.

The fake Indian currency note trade mainly takes place at the Rajshahi sector of the Indo-Bangla border.

Due to strict vigil, smugglers and FICN couriers are not able to come out of their homes. There has been a sense of fear due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plus there has been an increase in patrolling in the porous region, the BSF official said.

With the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), there has been a decline in the infiltration from across the border since December 2019. The outbreak of COVID-19 has further impacted the influx of people from the neighboring country, he said. Between March 25 and April 10, only 13 illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh were apprehended, he added. During the same period in 2018 and 2019, the figures were 76 and 33, he said.

Similarly, the seizure of narcotic drugs like marijuana has also registered a decrease during this period. The border guards seized 154.5 kg in 2018, 41 kg in 2019 and 35 kg this year, he added.

Keeping in mind the protection of its troopers in COVID-19 time, the BSF has come up with standard operating procedures while dealing with smugglers and infiltrators.

"There are proper guidelines for troopers on the field while dealing with miscreants. They have been provided with protective gear including masks, gloves, and suits," a BSF official said.

Meanwhile, in an unprecedented move, Bangladesh authorities closed the operations of Daulatdia, the largest brothel in the country located on the banks of river Padma, amidst the outbreak of Coronavirus. 1500 sex workers here reportedly serve some 5000 customers.

Local Police Chief Ashiqur Rahman was quoted as saying, “The brothel at the Daulatdia was closed temporarily as part of precautions against coronavirus. The sex workers were asked not to allow any visitor until April 5.” He revealed that even though prostitution was illegal in the country, law enforcement authorities never interfered in their operations.