Tripura BSF to lodge protest with Bangladesh over cross-border sugar smuggling
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Agartala: The Border Security Force (BSF) has significantly bolstered security measures along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura with state-of-the-art surveillance technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled cameras and facial recognition to prevent infiltration, crimes and other illegal activities.

BSF Tripura Frontier Inspector General Patel Piyush Purushottam Das emphasized the deployment of cutting-edge surveillance technology alongside traditional patrolling. This includes state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered cameras and facial recognition tools.

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The BSF has increased manpower in sensitive border areas and launched special operations to dismantle smuggling and tout networks operating along the border. “We have zero tolerance for such activities,” saidDas, outlining intelligence-based operations to apprehend touts.

This heightened security posture comes just three days after Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha directed the BSF to intensify vigilance along the border to curb infiltration.

The BSF is actively addressing gaps in border fencing with temporary solutions while deploying additional teams in-depth areas. It prioritizes joint operations with state police and security agencies, leading to visible results on the ground, according to Das.

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So far this year, the BSF has seized contraband worth Rs 29 crore and apprehended 198 Bangladeshi nationals and 12 Rohingyas. Additionally, narcotics and psychotropic drugs valued at Rs 32 crore have been confiscated.

Collaboration with Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB):

During recent talks with their Bangladeshi counterparts, the BSF shared a list of Bangladeshi touts and criminals with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The BGB has assured action against them according to their laws.

“Both forces agreed to identify vulnerable areas and increase joint coordinated patrols,” said Das. They will also share field commander contact details for real-time information exchange.

Around 100 Bangladeshi nationals, including women and children, were apprehended at the Agartala railway station for illegal entry in the past two months.

Additionally, 25 Rohingyas, including women and children, were arrested in North Tripura district attempting to enter Tripura illegally.

These Rohingyas likely fled from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, which house over a million displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar since 2017.