Biometric scanners make life easier for enclave dwellers in Fulbari

Prashant Acharya, EOI, FULBARI/SILIGURI, 21 Oct 2016:Residents in the Indian enclave of Champatganj in Bangladesh at Fulbari are now using biometric scanners to cross into India. With the introduction of the biometric scanners at the border check-post, life has become easier for the 40-odd families living in the Indian enclave in Bangladesh as all their details are verified by the scanners to validate their status. However, they still require a pass to go to nearby markets. These enclave dwellers deposit their passes at the BSF check-post before going to nearby markets and towns, and collect them while returning to their enclaves in Bangladesh. 

Enclave resident Anwar Ali said, “The introduction of biometric scanners has helped us a lot, but when our relatives visit us they face a lot of difficulties as they are made to undergo strict security checks. 

Some Indian citizens residing along the border check-post still own land across the border in Bangladesh and need to cross over every day to till their land. They are allowed to cross the international border, but are cannot use the main gate as only vehicles, two-wheelers and passport holders can pass through the gate." 

“We face difficulties during emergencies as the border gate closes at 10:00pm every night,” informed Noor Alam, another enclave dweller. 

The biometric scan speeds up matters and is hassle free for enclave dwellers as no paper work or identification documents are required to be carried while crossing the border, informed another enclave dweller named Ramman Ali. Sahil Kr. Mahala, Assistant Commandant of the 66 Battalion of the Border Security Force, said the biometric scanners were installed a few months ago. 

With their installation, crossing the border for enclave dwellers from either side has become easier, he added.