Tags:
Journalism of Courage
With the threat perception going up at the Indo-Bangladesh border, the BSF is planning to deploy an additional 40,000 men along the 4,100 km stretch in a phased manner. Official sources said by mid-March, nearly 50 BSF battalions will be moved from J-K to Bangladesh border.
The entire redeployment is likely to be spread over a couple of years, depending on the time taken by the Central Reserve Police Force to take over counter-insurgency duties, along with the Rashtriya Rifles in the Valley. However, the CRPF, which is essentially a police force, needs to be trained in CI tactics and operations before being inducted into the Valley.
At present, of the 157 BSF battalions, nearly 50 are deployed in J-K and six in Manipur for internal security duties. This is in stark comparison to the 20 battalions guarding the Line of Control in J-K. ‘‘Once the takeover by CRPF is complete, BSF will be free to do the job of guarding the borders and the focus is currently on the Indo-Bangla border,’’ a top official said.
With CRPF given complete charge of internal security, as per the recommendations of the Group of Ministers, the BSF will man the international borders with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat. The Special Security Bureau (SSB) will be responsible for borders with Bhutan and Nepal and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police for China.
The replacement of BSF in both J-K and Manipur will start from mid-March, after the elections in Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya. At present, security is being strengthened in these North-East states for smooth elections.
The replacement will begin from Manipur, followed by Anantnag and then Srinagar. Jammu will be covered last, according to sources in the Central para-military forces.
The CRPF companies will start moving in, get familiarised with the modus operandi of terrorists and the place in general. All the while, BSF will continue to be there, coordinating with the CRPF and helping them in training. ‘‘We will move out only after the CRPF personnel are properly settled and can take over completely,’’ said BSF Inspector-General (Operations) Vijay Raman.
