PIB Release:Fencing Along Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Pak Borders

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs

16-March-2011 

Out of the sanctioned fencing of 3436 km along Indo-Bangladesh border, approximately, 2435 km of fencing has been completed. Similarly, along Indo-Pak border 1926 km of fending has been completed against the sanctioned stretch of 2044 km.

Due to various constraints like delay in land acquisition, erection of fending within 150 yards of international border, statutory clearances under Wild Life and Forest Act, public protest and factors like inundation of water in alignment of fencing in Gujarat, the project works have been affected.

The scheduled date for completion of the fencing projects is March, 2012.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Mullappally Ramachandran in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

RS/KKA
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=71101

Song and dance too: noisy overture to India-Pakistan daily 'war'

From sify

Attari (Punjab), March 16 (IANS) The war cries and the goose-stepping are still there, but the latest showbiz songs, including the ever popular 'Jai Ho', have softened the hostile edge at the Attari-Wagah road border between India and Pakistan.

War cries, smartly dressed border guards putting their best foot forward and slogan shouting by the crowds... that's the daily scene at Attari, 30 km from the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, where tensions between the two neighbours get played out.

But now, patriotic songs, many of them from Bollywood movies, are also played by the Border Security Force (BSF), India's border guards, at full blast as an overture to the 25- minute retreat ceremony -- a daily ceremonial exercise to mark the closing of the border gates between India and Pakistan that takes place at day's end.

And, in an entirely different kind of war, the Pakistan side responds equally loudly with their own songs blaring from loudspeakers.

On this side of the border, Shankar Mahadevan's 'Sabse Aage Honge Hindustani', the title song from Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Chak de! India', and A.R. Rahman's Oscar-winning composition for Hollywood film 'Slumdog Millionaire', 'Jai Ho', are among the popular songs played to stir patriotic feelings.

With both sides trying to outdo each other, it's a near-deafening experience for the Indians and Pakistanis who have travelled the distance to watch the ceremony.

But not everyone is complaining.

'It is great to hear patriotic songs and dance to them. The slogan-shouting and cheering add to the atmosphere. Every Indian must watch this ceremony,' says Shashank Joshi, a visitor from Mumbai.

As the sun sets, the area comes alive as troopers and spectators get ready for the retreat ceremony.

At Attari, spectators start lining up just after 3.30 p.m.

Over 10,000 spectators fill the sitting arena to capacity - presenting a colourful sight and often renting the air with their slogans in glory of India.

This continues for nearly 90 minutes.

As the spectator galleries fill up, including with foreigners, feverish activity is seen on both the sides as troopers get ready for the ceremony.

The music then gives way to war cries from troopers on both sides shouting their throats out on loudspeakers.

Till last year there was a lot of aggressive posturing and pointed stares by troopers of both the countries. However, with the BSF toning down some of the posturing, the ceremony looks a shade less aggressive.

The showing of thumbs and other physical gestures to run down the other side have been done away with, even though the Pakistan Rangers on the other side continues with most postures.

Still, for the people, the majority of them watching the ceremony for the first time, the ceremony continues to push the adrenalin.

Each war cry is greeted with thunderous applause from the spectators.

'This is all part of our daily exercise during the retreat. Both sides try to put their best foot forward,' a BSF trooper told IANS here.

Slogans like 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', 'Vande Mataram' and 'Hindustan Zindabad' rent the air every few minutes on the Indian side.

Even though the number of spectators, on any given day, is much less on the Pakistani side, sloganeering can be heard from the other side as well.

'It is a great feeling to attend this ceremony. I have not seen any such ceremony before,' Kannan Kutty from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia told IANS.

The grand finale of the ceremony is the parade by the smartly dressed troopers, BSF on the Indian side and the Pakistan Rangers (in their traditional shalwar-kameez) on the other.

Once the formal ceremony is over and the gates are shut, its back to the full-blast music on both sides.

A few minutes later, as the crowd trickles out, silence descends once again at the border. The 'war' is over - at least till tomorrow evening.

(Jaideep Sarin can be contacted at jaideep.s@ians.in)

http://www.sify.com/news/song-and-dance-too-noisy-overture-to-india-pakistan-daily-war-news-national-ldqkOcheica.html

High alert in Assam after blast at Cong HQ before polls

From The Times Of India
March 16,2011
GUWAHATI: Even as the state was put on high alert following an IED blast at the state Congress headquarters and attack on BSF jawans by NDFB militants in Kokrajhar, the opposition on Tuesday targeted chief minister Tarun Gogoi for his failure in maintaining law and order ahead of the assembly elections.

The opposition accused Congress leaders of provoking the militants and sought an inquiry into the attack at Rajiv Bhawan by Ulfa hardliners loyal to their commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah. The faction headed by Baruah has already urged the people of the state to go against Congress in the coming assembly elections.

"We condemn the blast and urge the Election Commission to deploy additional forces in the state to prevent violence during polls. However, BJP believes that the militant attack on Congress headquarters is a result of chief minister Tarun Gogoi's provoking of Ulfa hardliners. Gogoi and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have incited a faction of Ulfa by underestimating its strength," said BJP spokesperson (Assam) Vijay Gupta. The party feels the incident has resulted in fear psychosis among people of the state.

On the other hand, health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Ulfa of having a nexus with AGP. "Congress will dash all AGP hopes of coming to power," said Sarma.

But the regional party countered the allegation saying that Congress won the 2001 assembly polls with Ulfa's help. "The Congress leaders are shameless. They are simply trying to divert the issue. Everyone knows how they came to power with Ulfa's help in 2001. AGP has no link with the militants," said AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary.

Meanwhile, police have tightened security and arrested one person besides detaining two others from the city on Tuesday. "While one person carrying detonators from Meghalaya to Guwahati was arrested from the Jorabat area of the city, two others have been detained for interrogation," said Deepak Chaudhury, senior superintendent of police (city). He added that they have taken up elaborate security measures in and around the city and intensified counter-insurgency operations.

A senior intelligence officer said police didn't have prior information that Ulfa might attack the Congress headquarters on Monday. He added that security agencies have confirmed that Ulfa military boss Paresh Baruah may use rebels of other militant outfits hiding in the city to carry out subversive activities.

"We managed to detect some international calls made from the city after the IED blast took place on Monday evening," said the officer. He added that militants having close links with Paresh Baruah could be involved in the incident. He said an insurgent from a lower Assam district has already been identified.

On Tuesday, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) officials cleaned the garbage bin near the explosion site. Significantly, the state police headquarters is yet to give any additional instructions for tightening security measures in the city following the blast at the Rajiv Bhavan.

On Monday, Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa had said the incident was an attempt to divert the ongoing peace process. 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/High-alert-in-state-after-blast-at-Cong-HQ-before-polls/articleshow/7713273.cms

Process of recording evidence underway

From Greater Kashmir
Srinagar, Mar 15: The General Security Force Court today began the process of recording evidence against a BSF commandant and a constable in the case related to the killing of a teenaged boy in Nishat area of the city last year.
 “The presiding officer of the GSFC has issued summons to the civilian witnesses through SSP Srinagar for recording their statements,” a senior BSF official told PTI.
 He said the recording of the evidence in the case, which was transferred to GSFC court from the civil court in November last year, will begin once police presents the civilian witnesses.
 Sixteen-year old Zahid Farooq was killed in a firing incident by the troops of 68 Battalion of BSF on February 5 last year, which led to widespread protests and shutdowns in the Valley.
 Although mystery surrounded the killing of the boy initially, Commandant of the Battalion R K Birdhi and Constable Lakhvindar Kumar emerged as suspects after police investigations and an internal inquiry by BSF.
 While Kumar was handed over to police within six days of the incident, Birdhi surrendered before the police on March 4 last year.
 In April, BSF had moved an application seeking transfer of the case to GSFC under Section 80 of the BSF Act, claiming that the accused personnel were on “active duty” when the incident took place.
 Upholding the BSF plea, Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar Yashpaul Bourney transferred the case to GSFC in November.
 However, the state government approached the High Court in December and got the proceedings of the GSFC stayed.
 The state has sought directions from the High Court to set aside the CJM’s order pleading that the matter was triable in the civil court and the GSFC has no jurisdiction.
 On February 23, the High Court in an interim order allowed the BSF to record evidence in the GSFC but directed it not to announce the verdict till the petition filed by the state government was decided.
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2011/Mar/16/process-of-recording-evidence-underway-38.asp

BSF DG visits Assam after ambush

From meri news

March 16,2011

The DG of BSF, Raman Srivastava, visited Assam after an ambush was carried out by the anti-talk front of the NDBF in the state assembly. The attacks left many soldiers wounded - apart from killing several others.

RAMAN SRIVASTAVA, the Director of BSF yesterday visited Lower Assam Hospital in Bongaigaon, and met the six jawans being treated at the hospital. The jawans were injured in an ambush by the anti-talk faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) at Ultapani forest bordering Bhutan in Kokrajhar on Monday evening.

Two of the critically injured BSF jawans – P Suresh of Tamil Nadu and Rajpal Singh of Haryana - were today airlifted from Bongaigaon to Guwahati for better treatment.

Security forces recovered 30 empty cartridges of AK series rifles and INSAS rifles from the spot where the ambush took place. Biscuit packets, water bottles and chocolates, etc., were also recovered from the spot from where the militants carried out the operation.

The NDFB has already claimed responsibility for the attack. The outfit’s self-styled Commanding Officer G Bidai alias Bidai Goyary, said the attack was carried out countering the operation against the outfit by security forces. He also threatened to carry out more such attacks if the operation against them are not stopped.

Senior officials from security forces, including Police, Army, BSF, SSB also visited the spot yesterday, and took stock of the situation.

The anti-talk faction of the NDFB carried out an ambush on a BSF convoy at Ultapani forest around 6 pm on Monday - killing nine security personnel and injuring at least 11 others.

The slain jawans have been identified as Naresh Kumar of Rajasthan, Kuber Gaura of Karnataka, Hira Singh of Punjab, Paloram Lamba of Haryana, head constable Santaram (Chhattisgarh), Vijay Kumar (Punjab), SK Sarma (Gawlior, Madhya Pradesh) and Praveen Pratap Daray of MP.

The injured - Jeet Singh (Rajasthan), Dilip Biswas (West Bengal), PS Rao (Andhra Pradesh), Sailendra Singh (Uttar Pradesh), Rampal Singh and Molay Haldar – are being treated at Bongaigaon Lower Assam Civil Hospital.

 http://www.merinews.com/article/bsf-dg-visits-assam-after-ambush/15845512.shtml

Assam: 8 BSF men killed by NDFB militants

From rediff
March 15, 2011
At least eight personnel of the Border Security Force were killed and eight others injured in an ambush by the anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland in Assam's Kokrajhar District on Monday evening.

Militants of the Ranjan Daimary-led faction used automatic weapons to ambush the BSF convoy in remote Ultapani Forest area near the India-Bhutan border.

The patrol was on its way from Bangladoba in Chirang District of Assam to Ultapani in Kokrajhar District when it was ambushed.

The deceased have been identified as Bijoy Kumar, S K Sharma, Arabinda Dere, Bolaram Lamba, Santa Ramthree, Naresh Kumar, Kuber Bora and Hira Singh.

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/eight-bsf-men-killed-by-ndfb-militants-in-assam/20110315.htm

Unlit border gives safe passage to intruders

From The Times Of India
March 7, 2011
AHMEDABAD: There are no lights at the Indo-Pak border in Kutch district. For the last three years, a stretch of 203 km of the Indo-Pak border has been fitted with floodlights to check illegal infiltration.

Ironically, three years have passed since the lights were installed but these are yet to be switched on. Inspector general of BSF A K Sinha said: "The project has been completed with financial grant from the central government. We have little to do in this project. Now, the CPWD (Central Public Works Department) has to take over operations."

The reason is more political than technical - the state and central governments cannot come to a consensus on who should foot the electricity bill.

"Some three years back, the government took the decision to put up barbed wire fencing along the border. Then came the requirement for lights for better security. Floodlights were fitted in the 203 km that has been fenced. This is to ensure that security personnel can see for a greater distance in the night and are able to stop infiltration," said a source in the state government. Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) was assigned the task for setting up infrastructure of power lines. The company has fitted the lights and set up a 66 KW unmanned power substation. But, that too is now plunged in darkness.

"It was a tough task for us since we had to set up this critical infrastructure in a coastal line. In different phases we completed the task for this unmanned substation. The next phase of the project about commissioning of substation and floodlights has to be completed by central PWD and BSF authorities," said PGVCL chief engineer Jagdish Parekh.

Government sources, however, say that the financial concerns have stalled the project from being taken any further. "Both the governments cannot decide on who will foot the electricity bill," said the source. 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Unlit-border-gives-safe-passage-to-intruders/articleshow/7642814.cms

Peace talks with North East rebel leaders 'good': Pillai

From Sify News
March 6, 2011

Union Home Secretary GK Pillai has described the progress of the ongoing peace talks between the Government and the rebel outfits in the North East such as the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) as 'good'.

While interacting with the media at the Manipur Tribal Cultural Exchange Programme, in Imphal, Pillai said: " I don't think there is any setback to the talks. The talks have been going on with Muivah (General Secretary of NSCN (IM)) and also took place when he came to Dimapur yesterday."

NSCN (IM) General Secretary Muivah and President Isak Chishi Swu had come to Delhi on February 27 to hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a bid to solve the Nagaland issue and had termed the talks as 'fruitful'.

Pillai has expressed hopes of more insurgents groups coming forth for amicable talks.

He said: " Security operations are underway, we are hopeful that more people will come forward for talks because it is not good to kill or beat people in jail. it is not something which anybody likes."

" I am hopeful that with the arrest of Meghan and other UNLF (United National Liberation Front) leaders, many of them will now start to come forward for talks like the other groups in the north east region," he added.

According to Home Ministry reports, the government's efforts to maintain peace with the insurgent groups is paying great dividends as the northeast had witnessed minimum violence in 2010.

About 20 security personnel, 94 civilians and 247 militants lost their lives in the northeast in 2010, which indicates that the scenario has improved as compared to previous years.

Thousands have died in three decades of violence since ULFA was formed in 1979 in Assam, demanding independence from India, which it accused of plundering the region's mineral and agricultural resources.

However, public support for the group has declined in the recent years. (ANI)

http://www.sify.com/news/peace-talks-with-north-east-rebel-leaders-good-pillai-news-national-ldgo4gjcead.html

‘Few separatists creating turmoil in J&K’

From Deccan Herald News Puttur. March 6, DHNS

The people of Jammu and Ladakh, 4 lakh Kashmir Pandits, 33,000 Sikhs and a section of Muslims who are the residents of Kashmir desire Jammu and Kashmir to remain as an integral part of India.

It is only the minority population of separatists who are creating the entire turmoil. There is a need to take a firm decision so as to retain Jammu and Kashmir in our nation, said RSS Sarsangh Chalak Mohan Bhagavat. He was addressing the RSS Swayamsevaks at a mammoth gathering ‘Sanghik’ organised at the premises of Vivekananda High School here on Sunday as a prologue to the annual meeting of Akhil Bharateeya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) to be held from March 11. Putting across his thoughts over the Kashmir issue, he said the issue has been complicated by the government. “Due to the wrong political decisions taken in the past, Kashmir became a sensitive matter. And the stand taken by us all these years, the way in which the problem has been addressed has augmented the problem rather than solving it. Perhaps India is the only nation in the world which is having uncertaininty over its own territory,” he lamented. Expressing his concern over the vote bank politics, he criticised a section of political parties for differentiating between the voters. Just for the sake of minority votes, a political party dares to call India as a nation with majority terrorists (Hindus). If Hindus themselves are called as terrorists in their own nation, then what we can expect from such parties? he questioned. Quoting the views of Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Bhagavat said, Tagore in his essay on ‘Swadeshi Samaj’ has clearly said, a day will come when the Indians will find a way out to solve the problems prevailing between the Hindus and the Muslims in India and that solution will be in the form of Hindutva. “Hinduism is the strength of our nation. Despite Muslim kings ruling India for about 500 years, none of their tactics could weaken the spirit of Hindu culture. But as the former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam has said, the Hindus have remained as slaves because they refuse to use the power,” he opined. Bhagavat asked all the RSS workers to work towards an objective that is to reform and strengthen the country. Passing remarks on those who join RSS with an intention to get a ticket in the election he said, “If you are joining RSS with the selfish motives then it is not the right place.” RSS leader Suresh Joshi, Mangalore region Saha Sanghachalak Dr Vaman Shenoy, District-in-Charge Minister Krishna J Palemar, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Yogish Bhat and others were present on the occassion. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/143700/few-separatists-creating-turmoil-jampk.html

Bengal to release 37 Bangladeshi prisoners Tuesday

From Thaindian News
Kolkata, March 7 (IANS) The West Bengal government will Tuesday release 37 Bangladeshi nationals who were arrested for infiltrating into Indian territory, police said Monday.
“We will release at least 37 Bangladeshi nationals who have served their terms in Raiganj correctional home (in North Dinajpur district) for entering Indian territory without any valid documents,” Additional Director General of Police (correctional services) B.D. Sharma said.
“They will be handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel at Changrabandha immigration check post in Cooch Behar,” Sharma said.
“We are also taking initiative to release 20 more Bangladeshi inmates who are languishing in correctional homes after completing their terms within two-three days,” Sharma told IANS over phone.
The initiative was taken after at least 46 Bangladeshi nationals lodged in the Raiganj correctional home fell ill after a three-day hunger strike to demand their immediate release.
“Several Bangladeshi inmates are languishing in correctional homes even after serving their terms. All these people lack valid documents and the process of sending them back to Bangladesh is quite lengthy.
“We need to maintain coordination among BSF (Border Security Force), BGB, Bangladesh Deputy High Commission and other agencies. Yesterday (Sunday), a deputy inspector general rank officer was sent to look into the matter.
“We have completed the liaison with the Bangladesh’s deputy high commissioner and BGB personnel and they have agreed to take back the 37 inmates,” said Sharma.


More at : Bengal to release 37 Bangladeshi prisoners Tuesday http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/bengal-to-release-37-bangladeshi-prisoners-tuesday_100511136.html#ixzz1FvDNjFe6

Jawans to stay connected through 'Rakshak' scheme

From Deccan Herald

Bikaner, Mar 6, 2011 (PTI)

Central Paramilitary force jawans can now stay connected with their families over mobile phones in any part of the country without spending a paise on call charges.

The Department of Telecommunication is launching a scheme called 'Rakshak' from tomorrow offering this facility to the soldiers defending the borders in far flung areas and tackling insurgents in Maoist affected areas. It will be launched by Minister of State for Communication and IT Sachin Pilot tomorrow at Barmer in Rajasthan.Under this scheme, CPMF troops will get two BSNL SIM cards by paying a monthly fee of Rs 299. "Rakshak scheme has been launched especially for the jawans of CPMF. By paying a nominal charge of Rs 299, the jawans will get two SIM cards, one of which he can give it to the family and the other he can keep it with himself in his place of posting. There will be no charge on the cost made between the two SIM cards," Sachin Pilot told PTI here. The facility will be provided to all the troops of BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and SSB. The jawans will also get the facility of 200 free SMS per month on their mobile connection. Besides, to help jawans of CPMF who are deployed on the borders and in difficult terrains and in Naxal affected areas, the call of satellite phones have also been reduced to Rs 1 from Rs 5 for every minute by the Department of Telecom and Post. "The jawans of CPMF are posted in one of the harshest terrains where they don't have proper communication facility. The initiative has been taken by Department of Telecom and Post to ensure that they interact with their families on a regular basis without bothering about the cost," Pilot said. The minister will also provide 65 satellite phones to BSF solders deployed along Rajasthan border at Barmer tomorrow. Pilot is on a three-day visit to the border areas of Rajasthan to inaugurate seven head post offices and dedicate the 'Rakshak' scheme to the paramilitary forces. The Minister will inaugurate a head office in Tannot under Jaisalmer district through video conferencing while he will be inaugurating another head post office in Marwar junction in Pali district and in Jalore district. Replying to a question as to why all corruption cases are emerging from the present government only, Pilot said the Government was committed to weed out corruption. "Our party president Sonia Gandhi has herself spoken against it and we are determined to take necessary action. We should not politicise corruption. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also said steps would be taken by the Government to weed out corruption," he said. Asked why the Government did to accede to the Opposition demand for a JPC into the 2G spectrum scam in the last Winter Session of Parliament, he said "JPC is not an investigating agency so the party did not accept opposition demand in last Parliament session". He also spoke about the Government's commitment to wipe out terrorism and increased defence allocation this time. Earlier, addressing a gathering of Bikaner Industry Association, Pilot assured necessary steps both by the Centre as well as the State Government to promote investment opportunities in Rajasthan in the fields of telecommunication, IT and solar energy. Asked for his reaction about the migration of 1.25 lakh BSNL mobile subscribers to other mobile services after the launch of mobile number portability scheme, the Minister said BSNL's job is also to ensure welfare and provide mobile services in the areas where private operators don't go. After the cloudburst in Ladakh last year, BSNL was the only service provider which airlifted 28 satellite phones and restored communication facility in Leh district, he said

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/143443/jawans-stay-connected-through-rakshak.html

Solution to Outstanding issues with Bangladesh

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of External Affairs 

03-March-2011

India and Bangladesh are working closely to strengthen cooperation in a range of issues. They are also in the process of implementing several important decisions taken at various high level meetings. All outstanding issues between the two sides are being addressed expeditiously. Considerable progress has been achieved in many areas including power cooperation, water sharing and related issues and connectivity. India facilitated electrification of Dahagram and Angarpota. The US $1 billion Line of Credit Agreement was signed in the presence of Finance Ministers of both the countries. Other areas of progress include signing of a MoU on Border Haat, India allowing the Nepalese trucks to enter 200 meters inside the Bangladesh border, designating Ashuganj in Bangladesh and Silghat in India as Ports of Call, holding of the meeting of the Joint Boundary Working Group in November 2010 and the Joint Rivers Commission in March 2010.

Article 1(12) of the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement, 1974, provides for exchange of the Indian Enclaves in Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Enclaves in India. An agreed list of enclaves has been prepared and signed between the two sides in April 1997 to this effect. As per the agreed list, Bangladesh has 51 enclaves inside Indian Territory with an area of 7110 acres while India has 111 enclaves inside Bangladesh territory with an area of 17160 acres.

The Minister of State in the Ministry Of External Affairs Shri E. Ahamed gave this information in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

YSK/PM
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=70496