864.482 km of India-Bangladesh Border Yet to Be Fenced: MoS Nityanand Rai

TSG On Weekdays864.482 km of India-Bangladesh Border Yet to Be Fenced: MoS Nityanand Rai

Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, addressed the Lok Sabha in response to questions posed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sajda Ahmed regarding the fencing of the India-Bangladesh border. He stated that around 864.482 kilometers of the border remains unfenced, including a 174.514-kilometer stretch identified as a non-feasible gap.

“A total of 864.482 km of the India-Bangladesh border is yet to be fenced, which comprises 174.514 km of non-feasible gap,” stated MoS Rai in his written reply. He further mentioned that out of the total 4,096.7 km stretch of the India-Bangladesh border, fencing has been completed along 3,232.218 km.

Highlighting the challenges in completing the feasible sections of the fencing project, the minister pointed out several key issues, including delays in land acquisition, objections raised by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), a restricted working season, as well as complications due to landslides and marshy terrain.

MoS Rai emphasized that border fencing is crucial for national security, as it plays a significant role in ensuring a crime-free border. He stated that proper fencing helps in curbing various cross-border crimes, including smuggling, the movement of criminals, and human trafficking.

He also noted that the Government of Bangladesh has acknowledged that India adheres to all existing protocols and agreements between the two nations, as well as those between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

“The Government of India’s expectation that Bangladesh will implement all previous agreements and adopt a cooperative approach in tackling cross-border crimes has been conveyed to the Bangladesh government,” Rai stated in his written reply.

In a related development, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, in January, expressed “deep concern” over recent fencing activities along the Indo-Bangladesh border. The ministry summoned the Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, to formally communicate its objections regarding the matter.

Bangladesh specifically raised concerns over what it described as “unauthorized attempts” to erect barbed wire fencing along the border. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry stressed that such activities, along with associated operational measures undertaken by the BSF, have led to tensions and disturbances in the border regions.

- Advertisement -

Check out our other content

Check out other tags:

Most Popular Articles