SHILLONG, JUNE 20: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday alleged that they were attacked by local villagers at Kuliang along the Indo-Bangla border in East Jaintia Hills to give safe passage to Bangladeshi smugglers even as it has decided to lodge a protest note with the Border Guard Bangladesh on the matter.
The incident took place on Wednesday when a group of 30-35 Bangladeshi smugglers infiltrated into Indian territory through the unfenced area of Border Outpost (BOP) Kuliang, under the jurisdiction of 172 Bn BSF. The aim of the intruders was to receive sugar consignments from Indian smugglers of Kuliang, a statement issued by the BSF said.
“Upon receiving this information, a special BSF party was immediately rushed to the spot. As the BSF personnel approached, the Bangladeshi miscreants attempted to flee towards Kuliang village. During the pursuit, the BSF party was confronted by local villagers in order to give safe passage to the Bangladeshi smugglers, who jointly began pelting stones on BSF personnel and hurled abusive language and threats,” it said.
The BSF also alleged that two jawans were injured during the altercation. “An Indian woman attacked a BSF person with an axe, resulting in an injury on his right hand. Another BSF person sustained injury in his left hand due to stone pelting,” it said while informing that the matter was immediately reported to the local police patrol post – Umkiang under Lumshnong police station.
Stating that Kuliang village is situated in close proximity to the international border, making it a vulnerable and smuggling-prone area, the BSF said that local Indian smugglers often store large quantities of sugar in their houses or designated points, which is later smuggle into Bangladesh with the assistance of Bangladeshi smugglers, exploiting unfenced patches and adverse weather conditions.
Since January 2024, BSF troops in the Kuliang area have seized more than 100,000 kgs of sugar, preventing significant cross-border smuggling attempts.
BSF also urged local residents in border areas to refrain from engaging in illegal activities and to avoid facilitating Bangladeshi smugglers in cross-border smuggling activities.
“It has been a routine affair for the Indian villagers engaged in illegal activities to confront the BSF whenever it tries to execute its mandated duty to prevent smuggling along the International border,” it said.
Further, the BSF said that it is committed to perform its duties around the clock to prevent trans-border crimes.
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In light of this incident, BSF is lodging a protest note with the Border Guard Bangladesh regarding the illegal crossing of Bangladeshi smugglers into Indian territory, the statement said.
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