PIB Release: MHA Report Card for October, 2011

Ministry of Home Affairs31-October, 2011 17:06 IST

The Union Home minister Sh. P. Chidambaram presented the Report Card of Ministry of Home Affairs for October, 2011 in New Delhi today.  Following is the text of his statement: “I present the report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the month of October, 2011.In October 22, 2011, I called on the Prime Minister of Nepal, Shri Baburam Bhattarai.  On October 24, 2011, I called on the King of Bhutan. Visit to States On October 3, 2011, I visited Mumbai and held a meeting with the Chief Minister, the Home Minister and officials of Government of Maharashtra.               Internal Security On October 14, 2011, Policy Guidelines on employment of surrendered militants were issued. A sum of ` 18 lakh was sanctioned as assistance to 6 beneficiaries at the rate of ` 3 lakh each under the Central scheme of assistance to the victims of terrorist/communal/naxal violence. Jammu and Kashmir On October 14, 2011, ` 26.44 crore was reimbursed to the Government of Jammu & Kashmir under SRE scheme.             On October 12, 2011, the J&K interlocutors submitted their final report to MHA. North East A review committee meeting on monitoring of ceasefire with NSCN/KK was held on October 10, 2011. On October 13-14, 2011, tripartite talks were held with DHD/N and DHD/J for finalization of the Memorandum of Settlement. On October 15, 2011, a meeting was held between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Chief of General Staff of Myanmar Army to discuss security related issues. On October 25, 2011, formal talks with ULFA commenced. CAPFs (Central Armed Police Force) Sanctions amounting to ` 46.73 crore were issued for acquisition of land and construction of office/residential/other infrastructure buildings for the following CAPFs:           BSF :  `    5.37 crore           CRPF :  `  41.31 crore           NSG :  `    0.05 crore           Total :  `  46.73 crore On October 14, 2011, ` 10.30 lakh was released to the North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA), Shillong for the purchase and installation of a 125 KVA DG set. On October 17, 2011, the Government approved the enhanced grant of Risk/Hardship Allowance (CI (Ops) Field Area Allowance) for the CAPFs personnel deployed in 35 ‘focus’ districts in LWE-affected areas which have been identified as most hardship prone districts.  At the level of Constable there will be an increase of ` 700 per month and at the level of Commandant ` 1800 per month.  CAPF personnel deployed in 48 districts (out of the 83 districts) in LWE areas will continue to get CI (Ops) Modified Field Area Allowance. On October 21, 2011, ` 2.43 crore was released for augmentation of infrastructure of the National Police Academy, Hyderabad. On October 24, 2011, approval worth ` 15.39 crore was given to the Central Detective Training School, Hyderabad for augmentation of its infrastructure facilities. Government approved the grant of Training Allowance @ 15% of the basic pay to the staff engaged in instructional duties at temporary training institutions. Lump sum ex-gratia compensation amounting to ` 0.95 crore was sanctioned to the next of kin of 9 deceased CAPF personnel. Border Management India-Bangladesh Border: 10 kms of fencing and 20 kms of road works were completed in October, 2011 under phase II of the project. 25 kms of fencing were replaced in October, 2011 under phase III of the project. Poles for floodlighting were erected on a length of 100 kms and cables were laid on 50 kms stretch in October, 2011. India-China Border: Construction of 23 roads totaling 700.00 Kms is in progress. During the month, 32.86 kms of formation works and 64.87 Kms of surfacing works were completed. So far, a total of 424.02 kms of formation works and 136.56 kms of surfacing works have been completed. Immigration Integrated on-line visa application system under the mission mode project on IVFRT (Immigration, Visa and Foreigners Registration & Tracking) was commenced at the Indian mission in Paris, France. 10 Pakistani prisoners and 3 Pakistani fishermen were repatriated to Pakistan on completion of their sentences. The online registration application system for foreigners was operationalized at FRRO, Banglore. IPS Shri U.K. Bansal, IPS (UP:74) was appointed as Director General,  Border Security Force. Shri Pranay Sahay, IPS (MT:75) was appointed as Director General, Sashastra Seema Bal. Disaster Relief On October 12, 2011, Disaster Reduction Day was observed to create awareness about disasters among school children.  On October 14, 2011, a National Level Workshop was organized on mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction in Civil Defence Programme. In the month of October 2011, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 1681 personnel and 164 boats were deployed for emergency response and rescue operations in the flood-hit States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa and Sikkim. Census 2011 and National Population Register (NPR)         Approximately 6 crore out of the total 27 crore Population Enumeration Schedules have been scanned. The first phase (Field Work) as well as the second phase (Desk Matching) of Post Enumeration Survey (PES) of population enumeration has been completed in all the 35 States/UTs. The third phase (Field Reconciliation) has been completed in 32 States/UTs and is in progress in the remaining three States of Bihar, Mizoram and Jharkhand. Capture of biometrics for the National Population Register is in progress. As on date, biometrics have been captured for more than 61 lakh persons. Socio-Economic & Caste Census (SECC) field work has been completed in the UTs of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Puducherry and is in progress in Chandigarh, Chattisgarh, Daman & Diu, Himachal Pradesh and Tripura. Out of a total of 86,527 Enumeration Blocks (EBs), the field survey has been completed in 13,423 EBs. Other matters On October 11, 2011, I addressed the annual Combined Commanders-in-Chief Conference 2011. On October 13, 2011, Cabinet approved the Agreement on ‘Transfer of Sentenced Persons’ with Maldives. October 14, 2011, I wrote a letter to the Chief Ministers on the communal situation and requested them to keep a close vigil on the activities of certain elements who might disturb communal harmony and peace. On October 21, 2011, I met with the Task Force on National Security chaired by Shri Naresh Chandra. The drive to implement the judgments of Courts in relation to pension to freedom fighters continued. 18 judgments were implemented in October, 2011 and 123 judgments are pending for implementation.  42,364 records of claims and compensation paid to displaced persons were computerized in October, 2011. The database now has 708,889 records. *** IJ/RS/SR (Release ID :76908) http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx

White flags demarcating Bangla border

From The Assam Tribune
R Dutta Choudhury
 LATITILA (Indo-Bangla border), Oct 25 – The Latitila –Dumabari area of the internationalborder in Karimganj district is still totally open and only a few white flags are demarcating the border. The thick jungle in the area, coupled with movement of wild elephants also seriously affects border management in the area.
During a visit to the area, this correspondent witnessed that people of both the countries have cultivated the land right up to the white flags demarcating the international border, making the task of the border guarding force more difficult.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has a Border Outpost at Latitila and a watch post has been set up on top of a hill from where one can get a bird’s eye view of the disputed area. Houses of Bangladesh are also clearly visible from the watch post. However, thick jungles in some parts of the disputed area reduce visibility and it is virtually impossible to see anyone coming through the jungles. The BSF men are guarding the area round the clock, but the terrain is such that it is impossible to ensure total sealing of the border without any fencing.
According to official records, a stretch of 2.35 kilometres of the international boundary in this area, spreading from border pillar number 1397 to 1400/1-RI involving an area ofapproximately 94 acres could not be demarcated during the partition of the countrybecause of mass representations given by the people living in the area. On February 8, 1966, the sector commanders of the border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh met to decide a military working boundary.
As per records, a straight line was drawn following the meeting from point “Y” to the middle of the Putni bridge and along the midstream of the Putnicherra Nala, a stream. White flags were placed along the working border and these flags still demarcate the boundary and no pillars have been put in the area because of the failure of thegovernments of India and Bangladesh to settle the matter over the years. Though it is reported that the issue was settled recentiv, no one in the border including the BSF men know what actually happened.
This correspondent visited the BSF camp at Latitila and climbed up the watch post set up on a hill. Though one can get a view of the area from top, it is impossible to keep watch on the entire area because of thick jungles. The BSF men are having a tough job in manning the border because of the terrain, while, herds of wild elephants also make the task, more difficult. The wild elephants often attack people and only recently one civilian was killed. The elephants also damage the fencing wherever it is erected in the area.
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=oct2611/at092

Accused of voyeurism in Meghalaya, BSF denies charge

From About Meghalaya
Guwahati, Oct 26 : Less than three weeks after two Border Security Force (BSF) constables in Meghalaya allegedly sacrificed a minor to be relieved of infertility, troopers of the paramilitary unit in the state have now been accused of voyeurism.

Earlier this week, the people of Nongtyngur village near the
India-Bangladesh border in West Khasi Hills district accused BSF personnel of patrolling unnecessarily in the area to watch local women bathe and pester them. Nongtyngur is 70 km southwest of Meghalaya capital Shillong.

The BSF denied the charge and said some locals involved in cattle smuggling were instigating the villagers. “Strict vigil has helped us curb cattle smuggling in the area for the past six months. Certain people don’t want our men to patrol a cattle smuggling route along a river near the village close to the border,” said BSF spokesperson Ravi Gandhi from Shillong on Tuesday.

Nongtyngur villagers, however, rubbished the BSF claim. “We cannot recall a single instance in the last many years when BSF personnel arrested any smuggler,” said a villager Bubu.
http://aboutmeghalaya.blogspot.com/2011/10/accused-of-voyeurism-in-meghalaya-bsf.html

BSF hunting for bigger firing range in Hazaribag: The BSF, which ha...

From TOI
Oct 24, 2011,
BSF hunting for bigger firing range in Hazaribag: The BSF, which has one of the biggest training centres and schools at Meru near here, is planning to set up a bigger firing range at a place that is not very densely populated.

DIG S K Sood said, "We are surveying the areas where suitable, safe and a bigger firing range can be established. The district administration has suggested several sites for the purpose but it is yet to be finalized."

At present, the BSF has two firing ranges in Sitagarha and Silwar both in Hazaribag Sadar block, but the problem with Sitagarah is that although it is a fairly big range the area is surrounded by villages and sometimes mortars fired during the training go out of the range causing several accidents. Sometimes it was found that villagers, despite prior warnings, collected unexploded mortars and grenades for taking out the brass portion and were killed in explosion.

From BD Press:BGB-BSF flag meeting held

From The News Today, Bangladesh
MEHERPUR, Oct 25: A Battalion Commander level flag meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh(BGB) and Indian Border Security Force(BSF) was held in Meherpur border on Monday, reports UNB.
Lt. Colonel Aynul Jamal, Commanding Officer 32 Mirpur BGB led the six member BGB team while SS Huda, Commandant 85 BSF Battalion, led the five member team of BSF at the flag meeting held at 'No Man's' land near border pillar no.146/7 at frontier village Kazipur under Gangni upazila of the district.
They discussed about illegal trespassing, smuggling, children and women trafficking and others issues with a view to establishing peaceful environment along the frontier villages of both the countries.http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=42667&date=2011-10-26

From BD Press: BSF intruders vandalise houses

From The Daily Star, Bangladesh

Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Panic grips people of a village in Lalmonirhat
Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat

The people of bordering Kisamot Nijjoma village under Sree Rampur union of Patgram upazila are now in a state of panic as Indian border guards vandalised three houses at the village on Monday night.
Sree Rampur BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) camp in-charge Havilder Bashir Ahmed said some 20 to 25 BSF men of Ratanpur and Shalbari camps under Meghliganj Police Station of Cooch Behar district entered the village at around 8:30, vandalised three houses and took away four cows.

पाकिस्तान से हुई अनूठी घुसपैठ जिसे देख BSF का दिल भी पसीजा

दैनिक भास्कर से
24/10/11

 

जम्मू.जम्मू-कश्मीर की अंतरराष्ट्रीय सीमा पर तैनात सीमा सुरक्षा बल (बीएसएफ) के सतर्क जवानों ने पाकिस्तान से भारतीय सीमा में प्रवेश करने वाली एक लड़की को पकड़ा लेकिन प्रेम में धोखा खाने की उसकी कहानी सुनकर उन्होंने उसे पाकिस्तान के सुरक्षा बलों के सुपुर्द कर दिया।

आधिकारिक सूत्रों ने रविवार को यहां बताया कि पाकिस्तान के सियालकोट के गांव उमरावली की रहने वाली 15 वर्षीय कनीज को कल सीमा पार करने के बाद बीएसएफ के जवानों ने आर एस पुरा इलाके में पकड़ लिया।

जब लड़की से पूछताछ की गई तो पता चला कि उसे एक लड़के से प्यार हुआ लेकिन घर वालों को इस रिश्ते पर ऐतराज था। इस स्थिति में दोनों ने यह तय किया कि वे सरहद पार करके निकाह कर लेंगे ताकि उन्हें किसी विरोध का सामना न करना पड़े।

यह सोच कर दोनों घर से चुपचाप निकल पडे लेकिन सीमा के निकट पहुंचते ही लड़के की हिम्मत जवाब दे गई। मगर कनीज नहीं रुकी और वह सीमा पार कर गई। तभी उसके गांव के ठीक सामने भारतीय सीमा में स्थित गांव निकोवाल में सतर्क बीएसएफ की 193 बटालियन के जवानों की नजर उस पर पड़ गई और उसे पकड़ लिया गया।

लड़की से गहन पूछताछ में उसकी दर्द भरी दास्तां सामने आने पर सख्तजान अधिकारियों का दिल भी पसीज उठा और उन्होंने लड़की को वापस भेजने का फैसला किया। अधिकारियों ने सुचेतगढ़ सेक्टर की आक्ट्राई चौकी पर पाकिस्तान रेजरों से इस सिलसिले में बातचीत की और लड़की उन्हें सौंप दी।

http://www.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-a-girl-who-crossed-indian-border-in-hope-of-getting-married-handed-over-to-pakis-2520859.html

4 drug peddlers held

From IBN Live

PTI | 07:10 PM,Oct 24,2011

New Delhi, Oct 24 (PTI) Four persons, including a woman, were arrested here for their alleged involvement in drug peddling and 50 kg of ganja and 10 kg of opium worth Rs 12.5 lakh seized, police said today. Rajiv (31) and Madhu (45) were apprehended from Rohini on Saturday with 10 kg of opium worth Rs 10 lakh, Ashok Chand, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), said. In another case, Mohd Mafid-ul-Islam (25), belonging to Berpata in Assam, and Mohd Ali from 24 Parganas in West Bengal were arrested with 50 kg of ganja valued at Rs 2.5 lakh. They were apprehended near the BSF Camp in Dakshin Puri.

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/4-drug-peddlers-held/874067.html

India lost over 300 acres of land to Bangla

From The Assam Tribune
October 25, 2011
R Dutta Choudhury
 MADANPUR (Indo-Bangla border), Oct 24 – Failure of the Government to secure its own land resulted in Bangladesh managing to take more than 300 acres of land in itspossession and now after the signing of the land border protocol, India stands to lose that portion of land to the neighbouring country. Moreover, the Government of India has not been able to protect the interests of its own citizens as Bangladesh has not been allowing Indian nationals to cultivate a huge portion of land in Govindapur village and the Government remains silent over the issue.
This correspondent visited the disputed areas and found that though there is no human habitation in the land under adverse possession of Bangladesh, the people of theneighbouring country has been cultivating the land and even a tea garden of Bangladeshis encroaching upon India’s land.

Army lodges protest over ceasefire violations

From Zee News
October 24, 2011
Jammu: The Army has lodged a strong protest with their Pakistan counterparts over ceasefire violations, when Indian Forward Posts along LoC in Poonch sector were targeted by Light Machine guns (LMG) firing on late Saturday night. 

"We have lodged a protest with Pakistan Army over the ceasefire violations and firing on Indian posts in Poonch through hotline contact," a senior Army officer said here on Monday.


The Pakistani troops had violated India-Pak border ceasefire along LoC and targeted two Indian posts - Kranti-1 and Kranti-2 - with LMG fire in Krishnagati in Poonch sector along LoC on the night of October 22. 


The troops from its post Daku and Yellow Bump had fired on the posts for one and half hours, drawing retaliation from Indian Army. 


This incident of firing took place after Indian troops guarding the borderline detected movement of suspected elements during an infiltration bid. It was the second ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in about 30 days. 


Earlier on September 20, indiscriminate firing started near the BSF post in Jammu after Pakistan violated ceasefire in Samba sector. At least one BSF sub-inspector was killed and a civilian injured in the firing. 


PTI 
http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/army-lodges-protest-over-ceasefire-violations_738285.html

Pak teenager repatriated by BSF

From The Deccan Herald

Jammu, Oct 23 (PTI)
Hours after her detention on the Indo-Pak border, a Pakistani teenager was repatriated to her country as a goodwill gesture by BSF in R S Pura border belt of Jammu and Kashmir.
16-year-old Kaneez Fatima was apprehended yesterday by BSF troops after she crossed over the International border in Nikowal Border Belt, a BSF officer said here today.
During questioning, Fatima told BSF her parents opposed her marriage to her boyfriend and, therefore, she crossed to this side out of anger.
BSF authorities immediately established contact with their Pakistani counterparts and handed over the girl back to Pakistan Rangers in the evening as a goodwill gesture, the officer said.
"It was a goodwill gesture. The move was appreciated by the villagers of Umravali (Pakistani village) to which the girl belonged to. They had gathered on the other side and were happy," he said.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/199934/pak-teenager-repatriated-bsf.html

No mercy for boy’s killers: BSF IG

From Shillong Times

OCTOBER 22ND, 2011
SHILLONG:
The Border Security Force (BSF) has asserted that there would no mercy for any BSF personnel if they are found involved in the recent killing of seven-year-old boy, Krishna Singh, at Praharinagar BSF outpost in West Garo Hills district earlier this month.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the 3rd Inter Frontier BSF Badminton Championship here on Friday, the BSF IG Sudesh Kumar said, “BSF or no BSF a criminal is a criminal and law would take its own course.”
Killing of Krishna Singh who was a son of Kamal Singh, a water carrier of the 121 Battalion of the BSF, was suspected carried out for superstitious human sacrifice by some religious bigots. The boy had disappeared while on a visit to the temple inside the BSF base to offer prayers on the occasion of Durga Puja on the third day of celebrations. His body was recovered next morning after a frantic search. The body bore marks of several stab injuries.
The needle of suspicion was also pointed to one ‘tantrik’ (black magician) from Assam who was friendly with some BSF men and reportedly seen inside the campus during the Durga Puja celebrations. The ‘tantrik’ went untraced after the body of the child had been recovered.
“I have spoken to the DG of police in Assam to take adequate steps to arrest tantrik for a thorough interrogation”, the BSF IG said.
It may be mentioned that three BSF jawans have since been taken into custody in connection with the murder of the child.
The family of the boy resides in official quarters of the 121 Battalion of the BSF inside Praharinagar camp.

http://theshillongtimes.com/2011/10/22/no-mercy-for-boy%E2%80%99s-killers-bsf-ig/