Seniors’ wives judge sex abuse in BSF

From DNA India

Dec 4, 2010

In the Border Security Force (BSF), cases of sexual harassment are heard by wives of senior officers, not by a special complaints cell, the parliamentary committee on empowerment of women has revealed. This, despite a Supreme Court(SC) directive to paramilitary forces to set up cells, headed by a woman officer, to hear complaints of such nature.

The committee said the wives of senior officers hearing the complaints can never be unbiased. “There can be no impartial corrective measure as there have been cases where women employees were harassed by seniors,’’ the panel said.

The committee recommended immediate abandonment of the practice and urged the home ministry to ensure that the SC guidelines are complied with. It has suggested involving members of NGOs in such committees.

The statutory committee, in its report ‘Women in Paramilitary Forces’,observed that the paramilitary forces were not “scrupulously following’’ the SC guidelines.

The committee also observed that the representation of women in the paramilitary forces was much below 10%, the limit fixed by the government. In BSF, the representation of women was 0.55%, in ITBP 1.38%, SSB 2.04% and in Assam Rifles 0.80%, it said.

It also noted that women were not given employment on compassionate grounds. Out of 340 vacancies meant for employment on compassionate grounds, only four went to women in 2007, three in 2008 and five in 2009 even as the posts were lying vacant. In CISF alone, there were 119 such vacancies.
The panel also recommended gender sensitisation programmes, mobile toilets and creche facilities for women in all forces.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_seniors-wives-judge-sex-abuse-in-bsf_1476259

Paramilitary forces not adhering to norms on sexual harassment, says House panel

From The Hindu

Dec 4, 2010

Aarti Dhar

Parliamentary committee wants Supreme Court guidelines followed

NEW DELHI: A parliamentary committee has criticised the paramilitary forces, especially the Border Security Force, over lack of strict adherence to Supreme Court guidelines on sexual harassment.

The Committee on Empowerment of Women, in its report on ‘Women in Paramilitary Forces' tabled in both Houses of Parliament on Friday, said the guidelines of the Supreme Court “were not being scrupulously followed in the paramilitary forces.”

The report said it had been made mandatory for all paramilitary forces to set up complaint cells headed by lady officers to investigate cases of sexual harassment, in pursuance of the apex court judgment.

Little representation

As per the government policy, 10 per cent vacancies are to be filled by women in the forces. However, their representation is negligible, as it is 0.56 per cent in the BSF, 1.38 per cent in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, 2.04 per cent in the Special Security Bureau and 0.90 per cent in the Assam Rifles.

Asking the Home Ministry to devise an effective mechanism to deal with cases of sexual harassment in the paramilitary forces, the panel expressed surprise over the practice of officers' wives judging such complaints lodged by women employees in the BSF.

“The committee is surprised to note that in some of these forces, especially the BSF, wives of officers listen to grievances of women employees which can never be unbiased or impartial as there have been cases where women employees were harassed by their seniors and the wives of senior officers sat on judgment,” the panel said.

The committee strongly recommended that the Ministry of Home Affairs ensure that the Supreme Court guidelines on sexual harassment were reiterated afresh so that all Central paramilitary forces followed them.

The committee also recommended that the practice of hearing such cases by wives of senior officers be “dispensed with immediately.”

‘Include woman NGO'

It observed that in some of the paramilitary forces, women members of non-governmental organisations were included in the sexual harassment committees. “The committee is of the firm opinion that a woman NGO must be invariably included in these committees to avoid intimidation of women victims by the male officers,” the report said.

The panel, headed by Chandresh Kumari, asked the Union Home Ministry to devise a “strict monitoring mechanism” to look into cases of sexual harassment in the forces.

It laid down a six-month timeline for completion of inquiry into such complaints.

Navy wary of unguarded WB stretch

From Hindustan Times
Email Author

Kolkata, December 02, 2010

The Indian Navy has asked the Border Security Force and the customs department to beef up their presence along the 160-km-long stretch of water that runs through the Sunderbans. Commodore Brian Anthony Thomas, naval officer in charge of West Bengal, said here on Thursday that this vast unmannedstretch might threaten India’s security.

The reason: This stretch provides almost free-entry rights to the Indian waters where ships from Bangladesh are allowed to travel a long stretch before reaching the customs checkpoint at Namkhana, about 120 km south of Kolkata.

According to an Indo-Bangladesh trade agreement, ships from Bangaldesh can enter India through Bihari Khal by going through a routine check by the BSF.

At present, seven to eight ships enter India from Bangladesh everyday through this route.

Navy officials are concerned that even two years after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, such a long stretch remained unmanned. For, the Pakistani killers reached Mumbai through the sea route.

Commodore Thomas said the issue, however, had at last been taken up by the Union cabinet secretary. “We have already informed the BSF and the customs department. We understand that they are short of staff but something needs to be done.”

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Navy-wary-of-unguarded-WB-stretch/Article1-633675.aspx

BSF given all terrain vehicle

From New Kerala

Bhuj, Dec 3 : Border Security Force (BSF), which was entrusted with security of the Sir Creek area on India's border with Pakistan in Gujarat's Kutch district, has been provided two all terrain vehicles for patrolling in the creek area, BSF sources said today.

The ambhibian vehicles, imported from Italy, were handed over to BSF personnel at border pillar No 1175 yesterday.

Patrolling in Sir Creek area always posed problems for the BSF personnel as water level rises during high tide and the area becomes marshy as tide recedes.
http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-97503.html


--UNI

बीएसएफ के डीजी रमन श्रीवास्तव आज जोधपुर आएंगे

From bhaskar news  04/12/10
जोधपुर.सीमा सुरक्षा बल के डीजी रमन श्रीवास्तव शनिवार को जोधपुर आएंगे। वे यहां बीएसएफ अधिकारियों से बॉर्डर की चौकसी और प्रबंधन से जुड़े मसलों पर चर्चा करेंगे।

बीएसएफ के डीजी रमन श्रीवास्तव शनिवार दोपहर विशेष विमान से जोधपुर पहुंचेंगे। एयरपोर्ट पर उनकी अगुवानी बीएसएफ राजस्थान फ्रंटियर के आईजी के एल मीणा व डीआईजी आर सी ध्यानी करेंगे। 


मुख्यालय पहुंच कर डीजी अधिकारियों से पाकिस्तान से सटी राजस्थान सीमा की चौकसी, सीमा पार की गतिविधियों,घुसपैठ और सीमा प्रबंधन के बारे में फीडबैक लेंगे तथा गहन चर्चा करेंगे। 

शाम को वे बीएसएफ के ट्रेनिंग सेंटर मे आयोजित होने वाले सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम में शरीक होंगे।
http://www.bhaskar.com/article/raj-jod-raman-srivastava-dg-bsf-will-jodhpur-today-1615001.html

J&K High Court stays proceedings against BSF men

FROM THE HINDUSRINAGAR, December 3, 2010 

The HinduFile photo of BSF Commandant R.K. Birdi being brought to a court in Srinagar.

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FROM THE HINDU

SRINAGAR, December 3, 2010

 The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday stayed the proceedings of the General Security Force Court (GSFC) against a BSF commandant and a constable in the case related to the killing of a teenaged boy.

Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir stayed the GFSC proceedings against BSF Commandant R.K. Birdi and Constable Lakhvinder Kumar in the Zahid Farooq killing case after the State government challenged the order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (Srinagar) Yashpaul Bourney, transferring the case to a BSF court.

The State government on Thursday filed a criminal revision petition in the High Court against the order passed by the CJM on November 25.

Justice Mir stayed the GSFC proceedings till the next date of hearing which has been fixed on December 14.

The court directed the DIG of BSF, who had taken over the case from the civil court along with the custody of the accused and the related documents and evidence, to file objections by the next date of hearing.

Since Commandant Birdi and Constable Lakhvinder are in BSF custody now, Justice Mir also directed the DIG to ensure the appearance of the duo in person or through counsel before the court on December 14.

Upholding the BSF plea that the accused commandant and constable were on “active duty” when they killed 16-year-old Zahid Farooq in unprovoked firing in Srinagar in February this year, the CJM transferred the case to the GSFC.

In view of the notification issued by the Central government with regard to disturbed areas in the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, the security forces are to be treated as being on active duty in any part of these States, the CJM had said while announcing the order.

“The notification is for a period of three years and the instant occurrence has taken place within that period.

This court has no option but to transfer the case to General Security Forces Court,” the judge said.

The BSF on Thursday had begun the proceedings against Commandant Birdi and Constable Kumar by issuing orders to hold an internal inquiry against them before starting their trial in the GSFC.

An internal inquiry was mandatory in the cases which are taken over from civilian courts for trial in the GSFC.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article929642.ece

Tipsy jawan runs amok, shoots one

- Border bosses mum on firing From The Telegraph

OUR CORRESPONDENT

The injured BSF jawan Tarsimlal at the Raiganj district hospital on Thursday. Picture by Nantu Dey Raiganj, Dec. 2: A BSF jawan allegedly under the influence of alcohol fired 20 rounds from his assault rifle at a shop in Kusmandi last night, killing a local and injuring a colleague who had tried to restrain him. The CPM today enforced a 12-hour bandh in South Dinajpur’s Kusmandi, 40km from here, to protest the unprovoked firing by Vijay Prakash. The deputy inspector-general of the BSF’s Raiganj range, Jaswant Singh, said Vijay’s battalion was not under his jurisdiction but under that of DIG Malda. U.K. Nehal, the BSF’s DIG in Malda, was not in town but the staff at his office said the Santhimari camp where Vijay is posted is under the Raiganj range. A BSF officer, who refused to be named, said Vijay was in BSF custody and senior officers were coming to interrogate him. “We are yet to find out what made him open fire,” he said. Both Gopal Tudu, the Kusmandi resident who was hit by a bullet in the stomach, and the injured BSF jawan, Tarsimlal, were brought to the Raiganj district hospital in North Dinajpur here late last night. The doctors referred Gopal, 24, to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital but he died on the way. Bishnu Tudu, Gopal’s uncle who witnessed the incident and had accompanied him to the district hospital here, said Vijay and four other jawans had come to the grocery store of Jagai Sarkar after 6.30pm yesterday. “My nephew had also come to the shop to buy some items. The five BSF jawans were from the Santhimari camp. They stopped at the shop and enquired about one of their colleagues, who was missing. When we told them that we had not seen anyone, two of them drove off towards the Bangladesh border,” Bishnu said. About 20 minutes later, the vehicle returned with a third BSF jawan, Vijay. “He was clearly intoxicated and reeking of liquor. He asked for a cigarette. He could hardly stand on his feet in the shop. When his colleagues tried to take him back inside the vehicle, the jawan started firing indiscriminately. Gopal was hit first and he slumped to the ground. We ran helter skelter for cover in the bazaar area,” Bishnu recounted. When the firing stopped, Bishnu realised that the other jawans had overpowered Vijay. His rifle had been taken away from him and he had been bundled off into the vehicle that drove off towards Santhimari, less than 2km away. “When we returned to the shop we found that my nephew was bleeding profusely. We first took him to the Kusmandi primary health centre and then to Raiganj district hospital,” said Bishnu. Gopal was declared brought dead at the NBMCH early this morning. Tarsimlal, the jawan whose right arm was grazed by a bullet, said Vijay was missing when they came to collect the grocery items. “Last evening when we came to the shop we found that Vijay Prakash was not with us. He was found some distance away. Our colleagues returned with him to the shop. When we tried to persuade him back into the car, he started firing. We ran for cover and took shelter behind our vehicle. He fired all 20 rounds from his Insas assault rifle and when he tried to reload, we overpowered him,” Tarsimlal said. The zonal committee secretary of the CPM in Kusmandi, Shyamal Ghosh, said the incident was not an isolated one. “Every day the BSF commits some atrocity or the other. They take things from shops without paying money. They snatch vegetables and other crops from farmers walking along the border roads. The people are so scared of them that seldom do they protest,” he said. The CPM led a demonstration at the Santhimari BSF camp this morning, demanding that it be shifted. “We have observed a 12-hour bandh in the area demanding punishment for the guilty jawan,” he said. The subdivisional police officer of Kusmandi, Kazi Samsuddin Ahmed, said a murder case had been started against the BSF jawan. “There was tension in the area and we have sent additional forces,” the SDPO said.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101203/jsp/siliguri/story_13251722.jsp

Omar Abdullah heaps praise on BSF

Omar Abdullah From DNA INDIA Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today heaped praise on the Border Security Force (BSF) for foiling a series of infiltration bids by militants from across the international border and steps taken by the force to help the population living near the frontiers. "Several infiltration attempts were successfully foiled by vigilant BSF on the border and thereby maintaining peace and harmony in Jammu region", Abdullah said at a function held by the BSF here to mark the 46th raising day of the force. He also appreciated the development work undertaken by the BSF to help residents of border villages and remote areas. The chief minister expressed satisfaction that a number of medical camps were held by BSF last year to give due medicare facilities to the people living in remote areas. He made a special mention of the hard work put in by BSF personnel at the border during the year due to which no terrorist-related incident occured and the border population, for the first time in recent years, could plan to cultivate their land right upto the fence. Wishing them a happy raising day, Omar also emphasised that the BSF should remain vigilant so that peace and tranquility can be maintained during the winter season as well. The 46th raising day was celebrated here with full zeal and enthusiasm in which several programmes like Sainik Sammelan, Barakhana and a cultural programme for the troops have been organised to mark the occasion. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_omar-abdullah-heaps-praise-on-bsf_1475607

Dhaka disrespect for rules miffs BSF

- Status quo should be maintained on adverse possession of land, says IG

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Children perform during the 45th raising day of the BSF in Mawpat on Wednesday. Telegraph picture Shillong, Dec. 1: Dhaka’s disrespect to the mutually agreed maintenance of status quo in places under its adverse possession has annoyed the BSF despite the general quiet on the Indo-Bangladesh border these days,. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 45th anniversary of the Raising Day of the force, inspector-general of the BSF (Assam and Meghalaya Frontier), R.C. Saxena, said, “While we (BSF) discourage our people to go to places under our adverse possession, the Bangladesh Rifles men are doing just the opposite.” Saxena said various representations have been made to Bangladesh expressing India’s concern on the disrespect to the mutually agreed maintenance of status quo in places under adverse possession. “We want to maintain status quo till the Joint Border Working Group finds an amicable solution to the problem of adverse possession of land by both sides,” he added. However, Saxena also acknowledged the proactive role being played by Dhaka to crack the whip on Northeast militant groups, which are operating from Bangladeshi soil. Moreover, he said a new battalion has been raised today, which would man the riverine areas in the Guwahati sector to thwart infiltration. Earlier, the BSF has been maintaining that infiltration from the riverine areas in the Guwahati sector cannot be fully curbed since fencing in such areas is not feasible. As the Raising Day coincided with World AIDS Day, Saxena said till date, 38 HIV cases have been detected among the personnel of the BSF on the Assam and Meghalaya frontier. On the reasons leading to the prevalence of HIV among the personnel, Saxena said while wrong blood transfusion is one of the factors, indulging in unsafe sex by the personnel is the main factor. To check the spread of the diseases, Saxena said the personnel in the border areas have been strictly directed not to enter the villages alone. “They have been asked to move in groups while on duty, and we have also asked them not to venture into any of the villages at night while they are not on duty,” he added. Saxena said the personnel have been educated about HIV/AIDS while confidential test centres have also been put in place to test the jawans. “The reports are disclosed only to the concerned personnel and not to anyone else,” he said, adding that those who have been infected with the virus are being treated.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101202/jsp/northeast/story_13247211.jsp

BSF to erect additional border posts

From yahoo.com

Wed, Dec 1 01:58 PM


New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) As part of efforts to thwart infiltration attempts, the BSF will erect additional border posts, undertake fencing and carry out lighting work along the frontiers. Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken said additional battalions will also be raised to cater to new duties of the force, including anti-Naxal operations.

"Additional Border Out Posts (BOP) are being created by the BSF. The aim is to reduce inter-BOP distance and carry out effective vigil and patrolling along the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders," Maken told reporters on the occasion of the 45th Raising Day celebrations of the force here. Maken said fencing and construction of roads along these "large and porous" borders is being expedited.

BSF chief Raman Srivastava, while speaking on the occasion, said the force has begun a "border domination" exercise to effectively guard and keep a constant vigil on the border. The BSF guards more than 6,600 kilometres of border area and has also deployed 10,000 personnel for anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh and Orissa.

Maken said BSF is carrying out civic action work in Naxal areas by involving the local population.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20101201/1416/tnl-bsf-to-erect-additional-border-posts_1.html

509 new BOPs, additional BSF personnel to curb inflitration

From newkerala.com
New Delhi, Dec 1 : Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken today said the Goverenment is increasing the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and Border Out Posts (BOP) in order to curb infiltration attempts.

Speaking on the sidelines of 45th anniversary function of the BSF, the Minister said, ''The Government is increasing number of BSF personnel and BOPs to reduce the gap between two posts for effective vigil on border areas.'' He said additional flood-lights will also be installed in addition to fencing nearby border areas.

''It is expected that these measures will help reducing the number of inflitration,'' the Minister told mediapersons.

Lauding the contribution and work of the force in anti-Naxal operation, Mr Maken said, ''The Civic-action programme of BSF in Naxal-affected areas has garnered lot of appreciation from the respective state governments.'' BSF Director General Raman Srivasta, while addressing the annual day parade of the force, said the government so far has given nod for creating additional 509 BOPs.

--UNI

http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-96065.html

Two Bangladesh nationals arrested along Indo-Pak border

From The Hindu

Dec 2, 2010

Two Bangladeshi nationals were arrested when they were trying to cross over to Pakistan along the Indo—Pak border in Jammu district, BSF officials said here today.

During patrolling by the troops of 72 battalion of BSF, some movement was noticed near the International Border fencing in Staff-2 Border Out-Post in Arnia belt of Jammu district late last night, they said.

The troops challenged them and later the two were arrested while four others managed to escape they said.

The two arrested have been identified as 19-year-old Rafeeq and 25-year-old Majbeer, both from Bangladesh.

The duo told during investigations that they were going to Pakistan to earn money. The two had crossed over to West Bengal from Bangladesh early this month and later took a train from there to reach Jammu.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article927441.ece

India, Bangladesh cross-border trade looking up

From webindia123

Dec 2, 2010

Cross-border trade between India and Bangladesh is looking up, and this will go a long way in countering the threat of terrorism in the South Asian region, said Bangaldesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni recently.

Moni, who undertook a visit of India in the latter half of November, used the two-day trip to boost cross-border trade and business with the country's eight northeastern states.

She visited Tripura along with a 30-member delegation and participated in boundary talks between India and Bangladesh.

Her visit was significant because as it signalled that India believes that the development and security of the northeastern states is intimately connected to the growth and development of Bangladesh and Myanmar.

According to an agreement signed between both countries, Bangladesh will provide access to the Ashuganj Port to facilitate transportation of dimensional consignments for the Talatana power project in Tripura.

India has also agreed to build the Akhaura-Agartala Railway Link.

"We have two ports - Chittagong and Mongla and want that these to be used as the main centre of business in this region. These ports should not only be used by India and Bangladesh, but other neighbouring countries like Bhutan and Nepal should also use the facility for the prosperity of this region," said Moni.

The Bangladesh foreign minister also laid the foundation of a memorial, the "India-Bangladesh Maitri Uddan", to be built as a tribute to Indian soldiers and Bangladeshi freedom fighters that sacrificed their lives during the 1971 Indo-Pak War that eventually led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Moni also addressed a business conference in Agartala. The seminar was titled "Northeast India and Bangladesh: Strengthening ties".

The focus of the meet was to encourage joint policies to promote waterways and railways transport.

Bangladesh currently exports garments, cosmetics, fish, raw jute, soaps, juices, spices, bricks, cement, PVC pipes, CI sheets, rods and other consumer products to northeast India.

"Northeast India is going to be one of the main electricity hubs for the whole country. So electricity based industry any other small and medium sized industry it can flourish in this region particularly in the state of Tripura where electricity will be available 24 hours 365 days uninterrupted. So that can give real boast and impetus to business and investment," said Satinder Kumar Dubey, Managing Director, ONGC Tripura Power Corporation.

Abdul Matlub Ahmad, the president of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "Tripura is an attractive destination because energy is there, the DONER Ministry and Northeastern state are offering excellent terms to the investors both abroad and Indians. These two are attracting, so large industries which are now operating in Bangladesh or who would Like to set up industry in Bangladesh in future are now considering changing the site to Agartala. Trend to invest in Agartala is changing and that is not only from India but also from Bangladesh."

Besides Bangladesh, BIMSTEC nations recently came together in Guwahati to boost trade with the northeastern states.

The forum of Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Srilanka, Thailand, Indonesia and Nepal looks towards combining the Look West Policy of Thailand with India's Look East Policy.

"The volume of trade between both the countries is gradually increasing. And in Northeast, Bangladeshi products are largely popular and in future the trade in the region is likely to go up," said Bangladesh Industries Minister Dilip Barua.

The northeast market is estimated to be worth over 20 billion dollars.

India plans to tap this potential and to bring economic prosperity and peace in the northeast region by developing good relations with its neighbours. (ANI)

http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20101202/1642429.html

BSF: Chetia handover soon

From The Telegraph - Pranati Deka released from custody

OUR BUREAU

Pranati Deka with Pradeep Gogoi after her release on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections Shillong/Guwahati, Dec. 1: Detained Ulfa general secretary Anup Chetia is likely to be handed over to India by Bangladesh before talks with the banned outfit commences in January. Inspector-general of BSF (Assam and Meghalaya frontier), R.C. Saxena, said this while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function to mark the 45th raising day of the Border Security Force in Shillong today. Saxena said efforts are still on to get Chetia handed over to India before commencement of the tripartite talks, adding that a team from the ministry of home affairs had gone to Dhaka to discuss the modalities of the hand-over with the Bangladesh government. “There are chances of getting him before the commencement of the talks in January,” he said. Chetia was arrested by Dhaka under the Foreigners Act and the Passports Act for illegally carrying foreign currency and a satellite phone in December 1997 and is still under detention. Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa had agreed to peace talks on the condition that it should include Chetia. However, the Centre had pointed out to the Ulfa leaders in jail that Chetia would have to spend time in jail even if he is handed over to India, which would further delay the talks. Ulfa leaders are insisting that the talks commence only after all jailed leaders are released. The BSF official’s revelation came on the day Pranati Deka walked out of jail in Guwahati. Talking to reporters outside the jail, Deka said the outfit’s central committee would take a decision on talks and strongly insisted that there was no division in the Ulfa. Saluting Ulfa’s commander-in-chief Paresh Barua, she said he had never opposed talks. The government, both at the Centre and in the state, has been maintaining that Barua was welcome to the talks, but he could not keep everyone waiting forever. Meanwhile, two militants, one from the Ulfa and the other from the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF anti-talks) surrendered before Saxena today along with arms and ammunition. Self-styled Ulfa corporal Doleshwar Gogoi alias Surjit Gogoi from Golaghat district, Assam surrendered before the BSF IG along with a .32 pistol and six rounds of ammunition. He underwent training in Myanmar in 2003, was active in Golaghat and Majuli areas, and was wanted by the Assam police in various cases. Kemson Phangcho alias Wozaru Tokbi was the self-styled sergeant major of the KLNLF (anti-talk group). He underwent training in Singhasan Pahar, Karbi Anglong in 2005 and was active in Dolamara, Choukihola and Ronbongbey of Karbi Anglong district. He was allegedly involved in various kidnapping and extortion cases. He surrendered along with a 9mm pistol, a magazine and ammunition. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101202/jsp/northeast/story_13245569.jsp

BSF organizes massive blood donation camp in Orissa's Balimela

Wednesday, December 01, 2010


Report by Kishor Dash & Deba Prasad Dash; Malkangiri: To celebrate it’s 45th raising day with a difference, the the 107th Battalion of Border Security Force (BSF) deployed at Balimela today organized a massive blood donation camp in it’s camp premises.

BSF has grown up in these years and has become a force to reckon with. BSF has been guarding the National frontiers with eagle eyes and has been able to preserve the sanctity of international Border with much efficiency. Be it, Internal Security duty, natural calamity or any assignment abroad, Border security force has proved its mettle. Today, it is one of the most trusted, efficient and versatile Border guarding force of the world,the BSF officials told on occasion. It is on this day in 1965,the BSF was came into existence,the BSF Officials told on the occasion.

About 22 units of blood were collected in this camp and handed over to the district red cross society. A large number of people including BSF Offg Commadant Rajkumar,Deputy Commadant Rajesh Sharan,BSF Jawans,civil police personnel’s,govt employees and locals were started arriving at the BSF camp to donate blood. Organized by the 107th Battalion of BSF in collaboration with the Red cross Society,the blood donors got their blood group tested and donated blood. The blood donation camp was managed by the Offg Commadant Rajkumar and his Deputy Rajesh Sharan on the occasion.

More than any thing else, the civilians in large number were turned on to the camp and were waiting right from the morning to attend the blood donation camp. The BSF has been organizing regular health camps in it’s camp premises which are being attended by the poor tribal people coming from the remote and interior pockets.

http://orissadiary.com/printStory.asp?id=22759

BSF trooper found dead inside train

From The Times Of India

He was on his way to his native state of Bihar, police said. Even as the exact reason behind the death is yet to be ascertained, some injury marks have been found around Kumar's nose. "Some passengers first spotted Kumar lying dead on the upper berth... FULL ARTICLE AT NEW KERALA

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/article/04MAgQ08uZ2nE?q=Jammu

Probe into ''killing'' of villager by BSF launched

From webindia123

Agartala | Tuesday, Nov 30 2010 IST

Police have launched a probe into yesterday's killing of a villager allegedly by Border Security Force (BSF) in Amzadnagar area of South Tripura.

Official sources today said two separate cases had been lodged with the police by the BSF and the victim's family.

The victim's family accused a jawan of 70 Battalion of BSF Amzadnagar BOP of attempting to rape one Tulu Aktar (19) and opening fire on her father Khoka Miah (45), sister Bina Aktar (16) and brothers - Abul Kalam (23) and Badsha Miah.

All of them sustained bullet injuries and Khoka succumbed to wounds on way to Agartala Government Medical College, the family members alleged and said Abul was undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, the BSF maintained that Khoka was apprehended by the BSF for talking on a mobile number from Bangladesh near the wire fencing.

When the villagers attacked the security personnel, the latter had to open fire for ''self-defence'', according to the BSF.

http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20101130/1641100.html

J-K govt files criminal revision petition in HC on BSF case

From Yahoo News

Thu, Dec 2 05:20 PM

Srinagar, Dec 2 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir goverment today filed a criminal revision petition in the High Court against a lower court order of transferring the case related to killing of a teenaged boy involving a BSF Commandant and a constable to the General Security Forces Court (GSFC). The revision petition was presented before the High Court by Additional Advocate General Ali Mohammad Magray.

It is likely to be listed for arguments tomorrow. The state is seeking a revision of the order of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Srinagar Yashpaul Bourney, who on November 25 transferred the case to the GSFC. Upholding the BSF plea that the accused Commandant R K Birdhi and Constable Lakhvinder Kumar were on "active duty" when they killed 16-year-old Zahid Farooq in unprovoked firing in Nishat area of the city in February this year, Bourney had transferred the case to GSFC. In view of the notification issued by the Central government with regard to disturbed areas in the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, the security forces are to be treated as being on active duty in any part of these states, Bourney had said while announcing the order.

"The notification is for a period of three years and the instant occurrence has taken place within that period. This court has no option but to transfer the case to General Security Forces Court," the judge said.

Meanwhile, the BSF today issued orders to hold an internal inquiry against Birdhi and Kumar before starting their trial in the General Security Forces Court (GSFC). "The orders for conducting an internal inquiry into the incident leading to the death of the boy have been issued," BSF sources said.

An internal inquiry was mandatory in the cases which are taken over from civilian courts for trial in GSFC, they said. The GSFC is likely to be convened early next week to begin court martial proceedings against the accused Commandant and the constable, they said.

Irrespective of the outcome of the inquiry, the GSFC court will be convened for putting the accused personnel on trial.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20101202/1416/tnl-j-k-govt-files-criminal-revision-pet.html

BSF celebrates 45th anniversary

From centralchronicle.com Agencies New Delhi, Dec 1: A grand ceremonial parade marked the 45th anniversary of Border Security Force (BSF) today at its Chhawla campus on the outskirts of Delhi. Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken, who was the chief guest of the occasion, took salute of the march past by different contingents of world's one of the largest border patrol forces. The march past was followed by a spectacular display of strength and versatile aspects of the BSF including camel contingent, BSF academy at Tekanpur, Rajasthan and Mizoram and Cachar Frontier. The show stealer, however, was the dog sqaud of the force which demonstrated its impeccable skills in detecting explosives and catching infiltrators. Addressing the annual fucntion, BSF Director General Raman Srivastava said the premier border guarding force of the country has grown from a 25 battalions at its inception to a 159 battalions at present. Srivastava, a 1973-batch IPS officer of the Kerala cadre, informed that 27 more battalions will be raised in the next five years. ''The BSF from time to time has contributed in the internal security in places such as Jammu and Kashmir and Naxal affected areas, in addition to gurading the country's international borders.'' the BSF DG said. ''The force so far has caught hold of 1,625 infiltrators besides number of criminals on border areas. So far 1,390 borderman have laid down their lives in the service of the nation, while 5,825 personnel have been disabled or have suffered serious injuries,'' he said. Maken said the parade was a clear depiction of the high standards which the BSF has achieved through hard work and dedication. He assured that the government is aware of the problems being faced by the force and would consider sympathetically to ameliorate their working and living conditions. During the ceremony, the Minister decorated select personnel with President Police Medal for Gallantry and President Police Medal for Distinguished Services. Besides, the prestigious General Choudhary Trophy was awareded to 117 battalion and the DG banner to 126 battalion. BSF Punjab Frontier was awarded the Best Management Trophy and BSF Rajasthan Frontier was adjudged best in training and sports. http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=52985