The Border Security Force (BSF) will send a “protest note” to its counterpart in Bangladesh to check instances of cross-border infiltration by its nationals.
According to a statement issued by the BSF, a group of 30-35 Bangladeshi smugglers facilitated by local Indian villagers infiltrated into Indian territory through the unfenced area of Border Outpost (BOP) Kuliang village last night, to receive sugar consignments from the locals there.
During the pursuit, the BSF party were hurled stones by the Bangladeshi smugglers along with the local villagers.
The BSF said that it is important to highlight that Kuliang village is situated in close proximity to the international border, making it a vulnerable and smuggling-prone area.
“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,” the BSF said.
According to them since January 2024, BSF troops in the Kuliang area have seized more than 100,000 kgs of sugar, preventing significant cross-border smuggling attempts.
Meanwhile, the BSF has 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,” the BSF stated.
