Bangladesh objections leave Assam border unfenced

The Assam government on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that fencing could not be erected along 4.35 km of the state's border with Bangladesh due to objections raised by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

It also said that another 34.609 km of the border remains unfenced as the stretch passes through riverine areas.

Replying to a question by AGP MLA Diptimayee Choudhury, Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora said barbed-wire fencing has been completed along 228.541 km of the total 267.5-km India-Bangladesh border in Assam, spanning Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Cachar and Sribhumi Districts.

"Fencing work along 4.35 km of the border could not be undertaken due to objections by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Indian citizens reside along the bank of the Kushiyara River in Sribhumi district," Bora said.

He further stated that fencing has not been carried out along another 34.609 km because the stretch falls in riverine areas, including 30.37 km in Dhubri district and 4.239 km in South Salmara-Mankachar District.

"In the unfenced riverine stretches, the Border Security Force (BSF) monitors the border through the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) using boat observation outposts," the minister added.



-PTI/The Assam Tribune