Assam Government Updates on Border Fencing with Bangladesh
Border Fencing Challenges in Assam
A file image of security personnel patrol the Surma River near India-Bangladesh border in Cachar. (AT Photo)
Guwahati, July 6: On Monday, the Assam government informed the Legislative Assembly that the construction of fencing along a 4.35 km stretch of the state's border with Bangladesh has been hindered due to objections from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Additionally, it was noted that another 34.609 km of the border remains unfenced, primarily because this section traverses riverine areas.
In response to a query from AGP MLA Diptimayee Choudhury, Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora stated that barbed-wire fencing has been successfully installed along 228.541 km of the total 267.5 km India-Bangladesh border in Assam, which includes the districts of Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Cachar, and Sribhumi.
"The fencing work for the 4.35 km stretch could not proceed due to objections from the BGB. Indian citizens live along the Kushiyara River bank in Sribhumi district," Bora explained.
He also mentioned that the remaining 34.609 km of unfenced border is located in riverine areas, with 30.37 km in Dhubri district and 4.239 km in South Salmara-Mankachar district.
"In these riverine sections, the Border Security Force (BSF) oversees the border using the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) and boat observation outposts," the minister added.
Earlier in May, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the government plans to create a robust security framework along the nearly 6,000 km borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh within the next year, utilizing advanced surveillance and border-monitoring technologies.
A report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs in March indicated that approximately 3,232 km of the 4,096 km India-Bangladesh border has been fenced, leaving about 689 km uncovered. Of this remaining stretch, over 174 km is riverine and thus not suitable for fencing.
India shares its longest international border with Bangladesh, which spans 4,096 km. The states that share this border include West Bengal (2,216.7 km), Assam (263 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Tripura (856 km), and Mizoram (318 km).