Amit Shah flags off 6 floating outposts on India-Bangladesh border
Measure would help curb smuggling and infiltration, he says
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal, today flagged off six floating border outposts at Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas district bordering Bangladesh, saying the measure would help curb smuggling and infiltration.
After inaugurating the floating border outposts, Shah also laid the foundation stone for the Maitri Sangrahalaya Museum located at the Haridaspur border outpost in the district, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
Addressing Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at the event, Shah said, "This new initiatives will now help tackle more effectively infiltration and smuggling through this porous border. This will provide for better surveillance in the border areas."
The number of floating border outposts has been enhanced to step up surveillance in inaccessible areas of Sundarbans near the border with Bangladesh.
Shah said it is difficult to stop infiltration and smuggling without the support of the local administration.
He said a political situation would emerge soon when the local authorities would be "forced" to extend help due to public pressure.
"It is our duty to protect our borders from infiltration and smuggling," he added.
The Indian home minister lauded the Border Security Force's role in securing the country's borders.
On Friday, Shah will visit Tin Bigha, an enclave, in Cooch Behar district bordering Bangladesh.