Time stands still in this riverine border village

From The Times Of IndiaApr 25, 2011, 07.17am IST
 TNN[ Saibal Sen ]

TEROGHORIA (INDO-BANGLA BORDER): The blazing mid-day sun notwithstanding, we set out on two canoes to reach India through Bangladesh. For all our apprehensions, the canoes seemed surprisingly sturdy to accommodate not just us but also our BSF escorts. And then we understood why. It is these canoes on which Teroghoria depends for life.

A small riverine village hamlet, initially comprising just 13 homes after which it is named (now only nine), Teroghoria is a paradox. A 10-bigha of square land in Indian territory flanked by mainland Bangladesh on three sides, its only gateway to India is through water. 

Pak troops’ firing in poonch on indian positions yet again

26 Apr 11
By aipworld
Bureau Report
Agence India Press
April 26, 2011
Jammu: Pakistani troops tonight again resorted to heavy firing on Indian forward positions for over an hour along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. There were no reports of any casualty, a senior army officer said.

This is the second ceasefire violation in three days, Tonight, reports said that Pakistani troops fired rocket projectile grenades and used small arms fire from 7.20pm to about 8.50 pm in Doda forward area of Poonch in one of the heaviest firings this year, said Col A Arora of 16 Corps of the army.

The Indian troops returned the fire, he said adding there was no casualty on the Indian side. (AIP)

Copyright © 2011 AIPTV. All rights reserved http://agenceindiapress.com

http://aipworld.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/

Soldiers of India's Border Security Force stand atop a gate

From srn news

ReutersHUMHAMA India 4/26/2011

 280 of 300 

Soldiers of India's Border Security Force (BSF), wearing their ceremonial dresses, stand atop a gate beside an artillery gun during a passing out parade in Humhama, on the outskirts of Srinagar, April 26, 2011. One hundred and eighty recruits were on Tuesday formally inducted into the BSF, an Indian paramilitary force mostly deployed along borders, after completing 36 weeks of rigorous training in physical fitness, weapons handling, anti-terrorism and protection of human rights, a BSF spokesman said. REUTERS/Fayaz Kabli
http://srnnews.townhall.com/photos/view/safety__security/1004/soldiers_of_indias_border_security_force_bsf,_wearing_their_ceremonial_dresses,_stand_atop_a_gate_beside_an_artillery_gun_during_a_passing_out_parade_in_humhama/1c3a6325-4491-4acf-9306-7e247cff4bbb/

Bits Pilani team lift badminton title in BSF

From the gulf today
April 26, 2011
DUBAI: Hosts Bits Pilani, Dubai won the girls singles and doubles title in the badminton final of the Bits Sports Festival. In the singles final, Bits Pilani, Dubai’s Jhankar Agarwal defeated Mahe Manipal’s Nikita Phadke 15-3 and 15-4. In the doubles, Lehar Chugh partnering Pooja Shah beat Nikita Arora and Sahiti Raju of Mahe 15-9 and 15-4. Earlier in the boy’s semi-finals, Zubair Ahmed of Bits Pilani-Dubai defeated Fawad of Preston University in straight sets 21-10, 21-14. Another Bits Pilani’s player Thahzeem cemented his team’s position in the finals by defeating John of Preston University in straight sets (21-11, 21-4). In the doubles, Thahzeem and Sameer Lele of BITS Pilani, Dubai beat John and Sidique (21-14, 15-21, 21-7). Meanwhile, Bits Pilani, Mahe Manipal, CUD and Al Hilal entered the  semi-finals of the in the basketball tournament. BITS Pilani, Dubai knocked out BIT Ranchi while CUD defeated DMC. http://gulftoday.ae/portal/c19b9e74-2be4-43ab-85c3-d870267ebd2d.aspx

BSF expects increase in infiltration bids

From Hindustan Times

Srinagar, April 26, 2011

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday warned of increase in infiltration bids by militants into Kashmir valley this summer to create disturbance. BSF inspector general Baljit Singh disclosed in Srinagar, "Militants were desperate to sneak into the Valley but security personnel were ready to foil any attempt of infiltration by militants."

Singh said the security forces foiled attempts by militants to infiltrate into the Valley last month.

The IG said militants intend to create disturbance in Kashmir valley. He predicted a hot summer this year.

"With the onset of summer, which has led to melting of snow in higher reaches, the militants have started their attempts to infiltrate into Indian border," said Singh.

He, however, was quick to add that the BSF and the army were ready to face any challenge.

"The security forces are maintaining a tight vigil on the border. Patrolling is being carried out round the clock to ensure that the militants do not succeed in infiltrating into the valley," said Singh.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/srinagar/BSF-expects-increase-in-infiltration-bids/Article1-689940.aspx

Direct satellite phone terminals, TV for BSF jawans at FDL

From Deccan Herald

Srinagar, Apr 26, (PTI):

Installation of direct satellite phone terminals and televisions at Forward Defence Locations across the country are among the steps taken by the BSF to boost morale of its jawans and improve operational efficiency.

"We have installed direct satellite phone terminals in many FDLs and are installing 63 more such terminals in the coming days...It will enable the jawans to remain in touch with their families almost on daily basis," IG BSF Baljit Singh told the passing out parade of fresh recruits to the force here.

"Huts with facilities like television have been installed at all 200 FDLs with a view to provide entertainment facility to the jawans," he said. These measures have been initiated to boost the morale and improve the operation efficiency of the jawans posted at FDLs, Singh said.

Besides, roads were being constructed to the nearest point of every forward defence location in order to cut down foot march by jawans in treacherous terrain.

"The operational efficiency of the force can only be improved when the jawans and officers posted at forward areas are mentally and physically fit. We are providing logistics and facilities to ensure that," Singh said.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/156734/direct-satellite-phone-terminals-tv.html

Pak Infiltrator Killed in BSF Firing

From Outlook

April 26, 2011

A Pakistani was shot dead by the Border Security Force personnel near international border here when he was trying to infiltrate into India, official sources said.

According to the sources, the man shot dead late last night by a BSF patrolling party when he was crossing over the international border.

The Pakistani, carrying firearms, threatened to attack the BSF jawans after he was asked to surrender.

In self-defence, the personnel fired at him and the man died on the spot, they said, adding that police have taken the body into custody and sent it for post mortem.

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?719889

Militants waiting across LoC to infiltrate: BSF

From The Indian Express

April 26, 2011
After senior Army officials warned of infiltration attempts from across the Line of Control (LoC), the Border Security Force on Tuesday said militants were waiting in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) to sneak into the Valley. BSF Inspector General Baljit Singh said as soon as snow starts to melt on the LoC, infiltrators will try to sneak in. Singh added the troops were ready to foil the militants’ attempts.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Militants-waiting-across-LoC-to-infiltrate--BSF/781922/

It is never too late to order COI: Hon'ble High Court's Decision

Justice delayed is still justice

New Delhi 

22.4.2011

In a landmark decision on Monday the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has directed Border Security Force to convene a Court Of Inquiry in a decade old case of an injury sustained by an officer of BSF. Setting aside BSF counsel’s contention that the concerned officer is now medically fit and that some of the witnesses have since retired, the double bench of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Suresh Kait directed the respondents to convene a Court of Inquiry with respect to the alleged incident dated 28.09.1999.

The petitioner Raj Kumar Basatta, Second-in-Command in BSF, had claimed to have suffered an injury during Anti-insurgency Operation on 28.09.1999. The petitioner claimed that as a result of the fall he received an injury in the mandible. The petitioner claimed to have suffered an injury in the knee as well. As per the petitioner his jaw got fractured.

However, assessing the injury as a minor injury his commanding officer Sh A. Asthana, did not report the matter to his Hqrs and did not order the mandatory Court Of Inquiry to find out facts of the injury. As a result the officer did not get timely treatment and other benefits applicable in injuries sustained during action against armed militants. To make the matters worse Raj Kumar Basatta, with excellent professional credentials of being a Commando instructor and having stood first in Shooting Competition, was charge-sheeted for being absent from duty for treatment of his injury and was Court Martialled in 2001. Arguing for the officer Ms Rekha Palli, Advocate pleaded that in the absence of a fact finding inquiry the nature of the injury and urgency of treatment could not be considered by his commanding officer and GSFC. She further pleaded that though there is permanent deformity in the jaw still its status of having been sustained during an operation is not officially established and this might harm the interests of the officer in future.

The Hon’ble Court has directed that the order convening Court of Inquiry would be issued by the competent authority within a period of 8 weeks from the date of judgement.

This judgement shall rekindle the ray of hope for many brave soldiers of the motherland who suffer despite their sacrifices just because of callous and inefficient officials and babus who fail to perform their duties and then use the system to cover-up for their follies. 

Justice is still justice even if eleven years too late.

http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/

Bangladesh, India resolve border issue

From Dw World

Bangladesh has 51 enclaves, or 7,000 acres in India

Bangladesh and India are due to resolve a long-standing border issue and swap 162 land enclosures. There is hope this will ease tensions on the India-Bangladesh border and end the suffering of over 140,000 local people.

 

India has 111 enclaves or nearly 17,000 acres of land inside Bangladesh. Bangladesh, on the other hand has 51 enclaves or 7,000 acres in India. This is a legacy of Partition in 1947. In 1974, Bangladesh ratified the Mujib-Indira Land Boundary Agreement to resolve the problems but India never did.

BSF Patrol

Photo

• Next »

GETTY IMAGES3 DAYS AGO

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers patrol along theIndia-Bangladesh border at Fulbari on the outskirts of Siliguri on April 17, 2011. The borders of Bangladeh and Nepalare sealed for the security reasons due to the assembly polling. The state assembly election of West Bengal will take place in six phases starting from April 18. The counting of votes will take place on May 13, 2011.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/photo/06Fm5yzc8G1JD?q=BSF

All-girl institute shines in foeticide hub Tarn Taran

From The TribunePerneet Singh
Tribune News Service

Khadoor Sahib, April 19
While Tarn Taran has emerged as the district with the worst sex ratio in Punjab, the girls at Shri Guru Angad Dev Institute of Careers and Courses, being run by Baba Sewa Singh Khadoor Sahibwale in this holy town (of the district), have outshone boys to the extent that now only they get admission here. And doors for boys at the institute lie shut.
Talking to The Tribune, Brigadier Tarlok Singh Aulakh (retd), institute in charge, said, “In all, 162 candidates from our institute have made it to the Army and paramilitary outfits like BSF, CRPF and CISF, besides the police, over the last couple of years. Of these, 135 are girls and only 27 boys…. A large number of boys from rural areas have fallen prey to drug addiction and those who have not are undisciplined. On the contrary, girls are disciplined, focused and hardworking. Initially, we admitted boys in our institute when it started in 2009, but with passage of time we stopped taking them, as they were not producing desired result.”
According to him, the basic foundation is weak among rural girls, too, but boys are worse. “The boys are not amenable to discipline, which is very important to make it to outfits like BSF, CRPF or police.”
Aulakh said the girls were so focused that at present too 40 were undergoing training even though currently there were no vacancies in military, paramilitary or police force. “Normally, we start our training programme when there are openings in these organizations.”
And about boys, he said they, too, must get attention. But, as theirs was voluntary organisation, they had limited capabilities and would need more funds to train them in a way that they fulfilled the requirement for the job, he said. Regarding the training programme, he said they start with physical training in the morning, followed by theory classes.
Harpreet Kaur, a student who made it to the BSF, said, “The institute provided me a platform to achieve my ambition. More such institutes should be opened, as it will help curb female foeticide.”
Meanwhile, the institute is all set to move into Nishan-e-Sikhi, an educational complex which was inaugurated here yesterday.Infamous for sex ratio
Tarn Taran district’s sex ratio, as per the Census, is a dismal 819:1,000 in the age group of 0 to 6 years, which is the worst in entire Punjab. However, it was even worse in 2001 Census at 784:1,000.
Successful candidates
* BSF 61 girls
* BSF, Army & SSB 27 boys
* CISF & CRPF 2 girls
* Chandigarh Police 27 girls
* Delhi Police 5 girls
* Punjab Police 40 girls
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110420/main4.htm