3 new border outposts to come up at Doklam

Amitava Banerjee | MP | Darjeeling: Three new Border Outposts (BOPs) are all set to come up at Doklam, the trijunction between India, Bhutan and China. Along with this, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) will be creating 73 BOPs in border areas throughout the country in the next calendar year.

"The army guards the Doklam trijunction. There is presence of the SSB as well. The army feels that there is need for three new BOPs. At present, there is joint patrolling by the army and SSB in the Doklam area. Meetings are being held between the two forces at the highest level, to decide on the location of these 3 BOPs," stated Shrikumar Bandopadhyay, IG, SSB.

Incidentally, during the monsoon of 2017, the Chinese and Indian troops had locked horns during a 73 day standoff in the strategically located Doklam area, which is still seen as a sensitive issue.

The SSB guards both the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. The Indo-Nepal border, guarded by the SSB on all frontiers, boasts of 105 BOPs. Out of this, the Siliguri Frontier of the SSB guards 315 km and 6 battalions are deployed on this stretch.

The Indo-Bhutan border under the SSB is a 655 km stretch, with 58 BOPs. The Siliguri Frontier guards 215 km of the Indo-Bhutan border and 5 battalions are deployed there.

Apart from guarding the borders, the SSB performs a number of key duties. As the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders are open and friendly, they are highly vulnerable to human trafficking and smuggling. 10 traffickers were arrested and 19 victims were rescued by the SSB this year. The SSB had also intensified drive against smugglers and was highly successful.

They recovered Indian currency, foreign currency, fake Indian currency notes, antique idols, narcotics, timber, animals and their body parts and products like venom and cattle.

"Contraband worth more than Rs 61,27,29,160 was seized and 629 smugglers were apprehended this year," stated the IG. 7 arms, along with a large quantity of ammunition and explosives were also recovered.

"Since Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders are open borders, it is very difficult to fully curb smuggling. However, with help of a strong intelligence network, Siliguri Frontier has been successful in minimising it. However, we have given a clarion call to the people living in border areas, to become more proactive in guarding their own borders," said Bandopadhyay.

The SSB has installed x-ray machines and cameras in Jaigaon on the Indo-Bhutan border and at Panitanki on the Indo-Nepal border, to keep track of the movement of vehicles and people across the borders.

The SSB will be celebrating its 55th Raising Day on December 20 at the Teesta Stadium, SSB Campus, Ranidanga. The day will be marked by a parade and IG Bandopadhyay will take the salute. 5 officers from the Siliguri Frontier will be receiving the Director General's Golden Disc award and 23 will be awarded the Silver Disc.