GUWAHATI: The Indo-Bangladesh border along Assam's Dhubri district is a "hot zone of crime," including cattle smuggling, and the BSF must maintain strict vigil in the area to control such activities, according to Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma.
While locals may face 'difficulties' at times due to high security in the border area, the Assam government can only address those issues after consulting with the BSF, he added.
"The India-Bangladesh border is a sensitive area for a variety of reasons," Sarma said in response to a question from AIUDF legislator Nazrul Hoque. “Cattle smuggling, illegal trade of other items, and so on are common, and the BSF must take numerous precautionary measures."
Hoque stated that the markets in Dhubri district, which is two kilometres from the international border, are closed by BSF personnel every day at 5 PM, and the MLA inquired if there were any such instructions.
Prohibitory orders under CrPC section 144 are in effect within 500 metres of the Indo-Bangla border from 6 PM to 5 AM daily, according to Sarma.
"In this area, the BSF must be strict. It is a high-crime area. However, I will request that the constable hold discussions with all stakeholders, including the BSF, to see what steps can be taken to mitigate the problems," he said.
In 2021, 1181 cases were registered in the border district, 612 vehicles were seized, 1326 people were arrested, 13,000 cattle heads were seized, and 617 cattle-related cases were filed, according to Sarma.
