BSF DG advises officials to take security in naxalite areas

From msn news

Hazaribagh (Jharkhand), Feb 26 (PTI) BSF Director General Raman Srivastav has advised top officials to take adequate security before moving in naxal-infested areas in the background of Malkangiri Collector R V Krishna�s abduction by the Maoists in neighbouring Orissa.

Replying to a query on Krishna�s abduction, he said yesterday that however popular a collector might be, he should not move in Naxalite stronghold areas without security.
"Sometimes, overconfidence creates problem and that was exactly the reason why he was abducted along with a junior engineer while moving without security", he said.
The BSF DG, who visited Silwar Firing Range, about 10 km from here, said one should take the assistance of security forces �otherwise the purpose of deployment of security will be defeated.�
Stating that BSF forces were deployed in 26 places in Orissa and 27 in Chattishgarh, Srivastav asserted that the CPI (Maoist�s) desire to make a �Red Corridor� in these areas would never be fulfilled.
He said ever since BSF was deployed in Orissa and Chattishgarh normalcy was restored, especially due to co-operation from local people and about 1500 villagers visited medical camps, set up by BSF, for checkup.
Earlier, Srivastava gave away medals and trophies to successful Frontiers who participated in the 5-day 41st Inter Frontier Support Weapon Competition at the BSF Training Centre and School, Hazaribagh.

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4969797

Pak intruders killed in Ferozepur sector

From Indian Express

The Border Security Force on Friday shot dead two intruders who were trying to sneak into India in the Ferozepur sector of Indo-Pak border. One pistol, nine live cartridges and one moble phone with Pak SIM were recovered on searching the bodies, said BSF officials.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Briefly-State/754938/

Home Ministry plans to augment BSF air wing

From Yahoo.News

New Delhi, (PTI) Home Ministry is contemplating augmentation of the air wing of Border Security Force (BSF) by including more choppers and planes to reduce dependence on the Indian Air Force (IAF).

According to the plan, the Home Ministry will acquire at least 20 more helicopters and 4 more planes in the next three to five years to strengthen its air wing.

Currently BSF has around 6 helicopters and three fixed wing aircraft which are mostly used for transportation of security personnel, augment supplies and evacuation of injured troops.

The initiative has been taken to reduce the dependence on IAF whose helicopters are being frequently used by the Home Ministry to help the paramilitary forces and state police forces in their anti-Maoists operations.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/home-ministry-plans-augment-bsf-air-wing-20110222-085300-892.html

Nagam questions the need of BSF

FrOm gr8telenganaFEBRUARY 25, 2011

Nagam Janardhan Reddy the TDP politician talking to the media questioned the need of the Border Security Forces in the Telangana. He criticised the govt for getting the BSF in the Telangana.

He said that the Telangana movement was going on peacefully, but it is the govt and the police officials wh are provoking the Telangana supporters and trying to create a tense situation and make the peaceful telangana movement violent.

He demanded that the govt withdraw the Border Security Forces from Telangana immediately.

http://www.gr8telangana.com/2011/02/nagam-questions-the-need-of-bsf/

Malaria biggest enemy of Indian border guards in northeast

From ZeeNews
February 23, 2011
Agartala: Malaria poses a bigger threat than insurgents and smugglers to Border Security Force (BSF) men posted along India's northeastern border with Bangladesh, with many dying of the disease every year, say security officials.


"Our troopers are now battling malaria, with the disease turning out to be our biggest enemy in the mountainous border areas," a senior BSF officer posted at the Tripura frontier said.

"On an average, five to six BSF personnel died of malaria every year on the Tripura border alone. No one was killed by insurgents during the past three years," the BSF officer told on condition of anonymity.

Comprising eight states, northeast India is a malaria prone zone, with the vector-borne disease claiming an estimated 500 civilian lives annually.

Four northeastern states - Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam - share a 1,880-km border with Bangladesh, which is guarded by BSF troopers.

Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram share a 1,640-km-long border with Myanmar manned by Assam Rifles.

Most parts of the borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar are mountainous, densely forested and unfenced.

According to the officer, more than 2,360 BSF troopers posted along the 856-km-long Tripura-Bangladesh border were hit by malaria last year. The number of such cases since 2008 was a staggering 11,580.

The scenario is almost same in the other northeastern states that border Bangladesh and Myanmar.

"It is mandatory for all those posted in the border areas to carry mosquito repellent creams, besides wearing face masks and gloves all the time," said a BSF commander at north Tripura's Khatlung post along the Bangladesh-Tripura-Mizoram border.

Among the most inaccessible and inhospitable terrains in the country, where even food supplies have to be air dropped, cerebral malaria is the disease BSF troopers fear the most.

"Our troops remain out for 15 to 16 hours on an average for guarding the borders, bracing inhospitable terrain, deadly and poisonous snakes and other venomous insects, wild animals, besides all types of mosquitoes," he said.

They also battle smugglers.

On an average, various smuggled goods worth Rs.1.50 crore are being seized by the BSF troopers every month at different bordering areas of Tripura. The goods include various narcotics, saris, forest produce, a variety of garments, cattle, fish, machine parts and medicines.

The BSF has set up round-the-clock medical facilities with at least 10 small health centres for each battalion with anti-malaria drugs and diagnostic kits.

IANS 
http://www.zeenews.com/news689218.html

BD Press:Bangladeshi cattle trader injured by BSF

From UBConnect BD
Benapole, Feb 25 (UNB) - A Bangladeshi cattle trader was injured seriously when beaten up by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at Rudrapur border in Sharsha upazila early Friday.

BGB sources said Mijanur Rahman, 30, son of Shukkur Ali of Agrobhulot village, was returning to his home through Rudrapur border when BSF jawans of Indian Tetulbaria camp caught him after a chase.

Then the Indian border guards took him to their camp where they beat and hit him with sharp weapons, leaving him injured.

They later left him at Bangladesh border from where he was rescued by villagers and admitted to Bagachra clinic in critical condition.
http://unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-42304

Reminiscences of mutiny in Bangladesh on 25th February 2009

From Asian Tribune

Fri, 2011-02-25 03:22 — editor

By Asif Haroon Raja

25 February (Asiantribune.com):

25th February brings back the memories of gory incident of mutiny in Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) two years ago. On that day at 11 am over 1000 NCOs and Sepoys of BDR staged a mutiny at its HQs in Dhaka in Pilkhana compound where about 9000 troops were present. It happened on the second day of the ‘Annual BDR Week’ being celebrated at a time when Director General Maj Gen Shafiq Ahmed was addressing a durbar in an auditorium.

150 officers including entire top brass of BDR and the lower ranks of BDR were in attendance. On the first day the Prime Minister Hasina Wajid had inaugurated the ceremony. During the address several unruly Sepoys stood up and started expressing their grievances offensively and spoke ill of officers. They demanded removal of Army officers from BDR and equal rights for BDR soldiers. They were applauded by other soldiers and soon after the DG and senior officers were taken hostages. Later on, all were brutally killed. The entry gate was closed and an artillery gun was positioned to resist outside interference.

At 12 pm, the PM sent her two junior ministers at the place of occurrence for parleys with the mutineers who took along their representatives to PM’s House where they handed her hand-written list of their 22-point demands. These included increase in pay scale, greater benefits, more holidays, opportunity to serve in UN missions, ration scale at par with Army, discontinuation of system of deputation of army officers to BDR and instead original members of BDR to be promoted from ranks. They wanted equitable sharing of profits from illicit activities between officers and men. The PM promised to meet the demands and announced amnesty for the rebels except for those involved in murders and other crimes.

Mentally adrift float across border, into captivity

From Indian Express

Feb 24, 2011

One such victim of doubt was 32-year-old Aurangzeb, who went back to his family in Lahore after four years spent languishing in Ferozepur Central Jail and undergoing treatment twice at the Amritsar mental hospital.

Dr BL Goel, Director, Institute of Mental Health, Amritsar says Aurangzeb was so violent that he was brought to them in chains from Ferozepur central jail. “But in 2006 it was established beyond doubt that he was mentally unsound even before he crossed over to India. A team of 60 psychiatrists and doctors from Pakistan who were in Chandigarh for an international symposium visited our institute. The director of the mental hospital in Lahore recognised Aurangzeb and so did he,” says Goel.

But after one year of treatment, Aurangzeb was sent back to jail only to return in a worse condition in 2008. “He again underwent another year of treatment and showed great improvement. He later showed us a letter from his family in Lahore. He was handed over by the BSF to his relatives finally in 2009,” Goel adds.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mentally-adrift-float-across-border-into-captivity/753849/2

HC Reserves Orders To Shift Zahid Killing To BSF Court

From Kashmir Observer
Srinagar, Feb 23, KONS: The High Court on Tuesday reserved its ruling on shifting the Zahid Farooq killing case to a military tribunal but ordered the Border Security Force (BSF) to conduct a departmental inquiry against its personnel accused of the murder.

The case came up before Justice JP  Singh today after a petition by Zahid’s family challenging the decision  by the chief judicial magistrate here to allow the BSF to try the accused personnel in its own court.

In his ruling, Justice Singh stressed that his orders of a departmental inquiry did not imply that the case had been transferred to a BSF court.

Justice Singh described the case as extremely sensitive requiring thorough deliberation to establish the extent of the involvement of the accused BSF personnel.

Teenager Zahid Farooq was shot dead by BSF personnel near Nishat  on the banks of the Dal Lake early last year while he was heading for a game of cricket along with his friends.

The commandant of the 68 BSF, RK Birdi and sepoy Lakhvinder Singh have been accused for the killing and are in custody.

The police has booked the duo under sections 307, 320, 120B and 201 of the Ranbir Penal Code, charging it of having opened unprovoked fire on the boy leading to his death.

The police charge sheet says that no law and order problem had existed in the Brane, Nishat area at the time of the incident, and that the victim had been shot when walking with his friends.
http://www.kashmirobserver.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6968:hc-reserves-orders-to-shift-zahid-killing-to-bsf-court&catid=2:local-news&Itemid=3

Zahid Farooq case: HC allows BSF Court to record evidence

From Rising Kashmir.Com

ISHFAQ TANTRY

SRINAGAR, FEB 23: In a major relief to BSF in Zahid Faroq murder case, High Court Wednesday vacated its own interim stay by allowing the General Security Force Court (GSFC) to record the evidence. However, the Court restrained it from taking final decision.

In its December 3, 2010 order, High Court had stayed the proceedings of GSFC.
As the case came up for  hearing before Justice J P Singh this morning, the judge after hearing the arguments of State and BSF counsels permitted BSF appointed GSFC to proceed ahead and record the evidence.
“The respondents are allowed to proceed ahead and record the evidence. The final decision in the trial should not be taken”, Justice Singh observed and stated that the case be listed for next hearing as and when the bench is available.
The State was represented by Senior Additional Advocate General A R Magray while the BSF was represented by Additional Solicitor General, Government of India.
Zahid Farooq, a teenager from Brein, Nishat was killed on February 5 2010 when a BSF party passing through the area fired on a group of boys who had gathered on the road.
The accused BSF commander R K Birdi was formally arrested by SIT on March 4, while constable Lakhvinder, accused of shooting Zahid on the orders of his commandant, was handed over to SIT by BSF on February 10.
Subsequently, the case went to CJM Court Srinagar and the court on November 24 admitted the BSF application seeking transfer of the case to BSF appointed court besides custody of the accused BSF men. However, the  State Government  filed a revision petition on December 2 against the order  and in its interim orders, the court had stayed the proceedings of General Security Force Court.

http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/zahid-farooq-case-hc-allows-bsf-court-to-record-evidence-6726.aspx

From BD Press:Dipu’s urgs Indin to deploy Bangla speaking BSF

From The New Nation BD

Feb 23, 2011

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Dipu Moni, who was visiting Kolkata, has proposed the Indian authorities to deploy Bangla-speaking BSF personnel to avoid killings in the Indo-Bangla border.

She made the proposal while inaugurating the annex building of a hostel of Maulana Azad College in Kolkata yesterday. The building was renamed as Bangabandhu Smriti Bhaban.

The Foreign Minister also proposed formation a regional river basin to resolve water crisis in the region.

Terming the Sundarbans resources of Bangladesh and India, she sought cooperation of India to preserve the mangrove and urged Indian people to vote for the Sundarbans to select it as one of the seven wonderers in the globe.

Dipu Moni emphasised need to complete the customs and immigration formalities on board to reduce sufferings of the passengers of  Dhaka-Kolkata Moitree Express.

She conveyed the desire of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to set up a 'Bangladesh Bhaban' at Biswa Bharati University in Shantiniketan.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Basu was present on the occasion as the chief guest. Prime Minister's Adviser for Establishment and Administrative Affairs HT Imam and Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Kolkata were present on the occasion.

http://thenewnationbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10747:dipus-urgs-indin-to-deploy-bangla-speaking-bsf&catid=85:frontpage&Itemid=241

Collector abduction case: Mediators say more time needed

From The Hindu

BHUBANESWAR, February 20, 2011

The seven-point demands of the Naxals included withdrawal of BSF, release of 700 jailed tribal Naxals and scrapping of Polavaram multi-purpose dam project in Andhra Pradesh.

Maoist-handpicked mediators on Sunday said “more time” was needed to secure the release of abducted Malkangiri District Collector R.V. Krishna and an engineer after the first round of talks with Orissa government amid moves indicating that some Naxals may be released on bail in line with the extremists’ demand.

Thirty—year—old Krishna, a 2005 batch IAS officer, and junior engineer Pabitra Majhi, abducted by the Naxals on February 16 from Chitrakonda area, are safe, Home Secretary U.N. Behera said after talks with the two Andhra Pradesh—based mediators Prof .Hargopal and Prof. Someswar Rao.

“We are working out modalities on how to end the hostage crisis and facilitate the release of Krishna and the junior engineer.... It may take more time,” Mr. Hargopal said, maintaining that the talks process has just started.

Mr. Behera said, “We are in the process of discussions.

Whether some people will go to Malkangiri as part of the talks process, will have to be decided.”

He, however, made it clear that the mediators were not going to the district because of health reasons.

Orissa’s Home Secretary U.N.Behera and Panchayati Raj Secretary S.N. Tripathy represented the state government in the talks as Mr. Krishna and Mr. Majhi spent the fifth day in captivity.

While the mediators showed keenness to resolve the crisis, the state government was examining Maoist demand for release of some rebel leaders who were languishing in different jails at present, sources said.

The interlocutors are believed to have pressed for release of certain key Maoists like Ganti Prasadam on bail, they said. Mr. Hargopal had earlier said the jailed ultra could play a significant role in negotiating with the rebel leaders for freeing the abducted officials.

In a related development, Prasadam, who is jailed in Andhra Pradesh, was handed over to police for producing him before an Orissa court.

Prasadam, also the convener of Martyrs Friends and Relatives Committee, was lodged in the Ongole Prison in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district since February 7.

He and three others had moved bail applications in a court in Koraput, Orissa. While their bail plea was rejected, the court had directed that Prasadam be produced before it by February 25.

“Following the court directive, we handed over Prasadam to the local police for production before the Koraput court. Either the local police can produce Prasadam before the court or they can also hand him over to the Orissa Police which in turn can produce him before the court,” Ongole Prison Superintendent V Phaniraju told PTI over phone.

Prasadam was arrested in November last by Koraput Police and was brought to Ongole in connection with the case of attempt on the life of then Prakasam SP M C Laddha in 2009.

S Srinivasulu, former chief of Revolutionary Writers Association in Andhra Pradesh and senior member of CPI (Maoist), and Padma, wife of a top Maoist leader, were among those whose release has been sought by the Maoists.

The bail application of Srinivasulu is posted for hearing in a fast track Court in Malkangiri on Monday, the sources said, adding the government seemed to be examining possibility of facilitating release of certain ultras on bail to resolve the crisis.

After a high—level meeting in which demands of Maoists were discussed here on Saturday, Chief Secretary B.K. Patnaik did not appear to rule out the possibility of release of Maoist leaders.

“But it is premature to say that the government has agreed to release anyone now. Let us wait for the talks to get over,” he had said.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the government had already conceded a major demand of the rebels by halting anti—Naxal operations across the state since Thursday while it was open to discuss other demands.

As rallies across the state demanding safe release of the abducted officials continued, groups of tribals blocked roads in Chitrakonda area on Sunday by felling trees in protest against the abduction of mr. Krishna and Mr. Majhi.

The Orissa assembly had on Saturday adopted a resolution unanimously appealing for the safe release of the hostages.

Besides halt to anti—Naxal joint combing operations, which has already been conceded, the seven—point demands of the Naxals included withdrawal of BSF, release of 700 jailed tribal Naxals and scrapping of Polavaram multi—purpose dam project in Andhra Pradesh.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1474433.ece?homepage=true

Antony asks Army to keep a Watchful Eye on Smallest Developments in Neighbourhood Corruption at top Level has Harmed Image of Army: Antony

PIB Press Release

Ministry of Defence

Feb 18, 2011

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today asked the Army to be ever vigilant and keep a watchful eye on the smallest developments in and around our neighbourhood. Addressing the officers and jawans at a Sainik Sammelan at the 3 Corps HQ at Ranga Pahar, Nagaland, Shri Antony said though maintaining peace and tranquility along the border is crucial, we have to ensure that our operational preparedness is of the highest level.

The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen VK Singh, Defence Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar, Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Bikram Singh and the GOC 3 Corps Lt Gen NK Singh were present on the occasion.

Shri Antony also asked the military personnel to establish a healthy relationship with the local populace, win the hearts and minds and to project the Army in a positive light.

Describing honesty and loyalty as the basic traits of a Soldier, the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony conceded that some recent instances of corruption in high places in the Army have brought harm to its credibility and image. He urged the Army personnel to ensure that the sense of pride and dignity of the Army is maintained at all times.

“ I want to emphasise one issue for each one of you. A soldier is the pride of the nation. Honesty and loyalty are the basic traits of a soldier. Some recent instances of corruption in high places in the Army have brought some harm to its credibility and image. All of you must perform duties with sincerity and ensure that the sense of pride and dignity of the Army is maintained at all times. We will take very strict action whenever any case of corruption comes, or is brought to our natice”.

The Defence Minister, who is on a two-day visit to the North East, mingled freely with the jawans and enquired about their difficulties. He agreed with the suggestion given by a number of Jawans for the issue of a pair of boots every 12 months instead of the issue of the same under current provision of 26 months and asked the MoD officials to bring about this change. The jawans expressed happiness over the improved supply of ration. They also requested Shri Antony for chartered air service to Delhi.

Earlier, on arrival at the 3 Corps HQ, Shri Antony reviewed the security situation at the border and the progress made in the development of infrastructure in the North East region, with senior Army and MoD officials.

Sitanshu Kar
(Release ID :69907)
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=0

बीएसएफ के जवानों पर किया हमला

भास्कर न्यूज से

२०/२/२०११ 

अमृतसर। सिगरेट पीने से रोकने को लेकर पैदा हुए विवाद में कुछ लोगों ने बीएसएफ के जवानों पर हमला कर दिया। इसमें दो जवान गंभीर रूप से घायल हो गए। हालांकि घटना को अंजाम देकर आरोपी फरार हो गए। जवानों की शिकायत पर पुलिस ने छेहर्टा निवासी कुलभूषण सिंह, जतिंदर सिंह और कंवलजीत सिंह सहित पांच लोगों के खिलाफ मामला दर्ज कर लिया है।

जानकारी के मुताबिक बीएसएफ के 65 बटालियन के जवान मननी तथा कर्णबहादुर सिंह थाना घरिंडा के तहत आते खासा स्थित एक ढाबे पर खाना खा रहे थे। वहां मौजूद कुछ लोग सिगरेट पी रहे थे, जिस पर जवानों ने ऐतराज जताया तो वे नहीं माने, बल्कि उलटे उनसे उलझ गए। देखते ही देखते आरोपियों जवानों पर हलला बोल दिया, जिसमें दोनों जवान घायल हो गए।
http://www.bhaskar.com/article/pun-oth-attack-on-bsf-personnel-1866912.html