Assam Congress Urges Amit Shah to Boost BSF Deployment on Bangladesh Border

quick Summary

• The Assam Congress has urged Home Minister Amit Shah to enhance security along the Assam-Bangladesh border amid rising infiltration cases.
• Opposition Leader Debabrata Saikia expressed concerns about the effectiveness of existing border management despite ongoing pushback operations by Assam Police since May.
• Over 300 undocumented Bangladeshi nationals have reportedly been pushed back across the border between May 10 and August 3, under a new strategy announced by the State government.
• Mr. Saikia highlighted challenges related to terrain,coordination gaps between Central and State agencies,and potential legal/diplomatic complications arising from direct state-level pushbacks without Foreigners Tribunal processes.
• He called for strengthening BSF deployment, enhancing inter-agency protocols, utilising technology for surveillance, and engaging with Bangladesh diplomatically to address infiltration at its root causes.
• On August 15, near Assam’s Golaghat district along its border with Nagaland, three Assamese youths were attacked allegedly by Naga miscreants while returning from a picnic; one sustained a gunshot wound. Three suspects were arrested in connection with this incident.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The dual issues of illegal infiltration via the Bangladesh border and tensions along state borders underline persistent governance challenges in ensuring secure boundaries for Assam. While pushback measures demonstrate proactive efforts by local authorities against illegal entry, concerns highlighted by Mr. Debabrata Saikia regarding coordination gaps and adherence to due legal processes remain crucial. Effective BSF functioning combined with increased technological surveillance might provide sustainable solutions but must be balanced with diplomatic dialogues to prevent recurring cycles of infiltration.

Additionally, violence on inter-state borders like Merapani risks exacerbating communal or territorial tensions if left unchecked. Resolving such disputes requires both swift law enforcement responses-such as those seen through arrests-and long-term strategies fostering cooperation between neighboring states.

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