National
Measures to foil infiltration in Bihar
By K. Balchand
PATNA, DEC. 5. India's only peaceful transnational border, the one with Nepal, has turned hot of late. The Central and State Governments are taking a fresh look at the security measures along the 745 k.m. stretch of border with Bihar, in the wake of the Maoist insurgency in the Himalayan kingdom.
The border which was once literally open has been placed under the protection of security personnel. Besides, measures have been initiated to check infiltration of those whom the Nepal Government is accusing of fomenting trouble there.
These actions follow appeals by Kathmandu to Delhi for help to put down the insurgency by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists). India's problems arise from the emergency the Nepal Government has declared and the crackdown on the armed rebels.
Authorities here fear that the Maoists could sneak into the bordering areas of North Bihar not only to take shelter but use the plains as base for supplementing operations in Nepal. The fallout of such an eventuality is being perceived as a potential threat, which could disturb the internal security in India.
The Centre is urgently devising methods to cope with the situation, more so because the recent developments compound the problems on this stretch of the border, which the ISI had been using to carry out its nefarious activities in the country.
A few months ago the Centre had embarked on a security beef-up endeavour after a meeting with State Governments on internal security. It deployed the Special Security Bureau (SSB) in the three districts of East and West Champaran and Sitamarhi.
A fresh exercise has been undertaken following a meeting of officials of the Centre and State Government last week. Officials are identifying the soft spots that the Maoists of Nepal might choose for refuge along the border, even though their bases were far moved from the plains.
Intelligence officials are surveying such points in Kishanganj district and assessing the situation right upto Sikkim. At least four battalions of the SSB are likely to be deployed within one week along the border.
The State Government on its part has directed all the eight districts having a border with Nepal to be on vigil. Roads leading to Nepal from West Champaran districts are being sealed after sunset with traffic being allowed only during day time. All vehicles are being checked.
The Bihar Government has also sought 20 companies of para military forces to cope with the situation even as it has deployed 11 companies of the BMP. The Home Secretary and the DGP have decided to carry out aerial survey to review the situation.
Officials are keeping their fingers crossed on whether the Centre would keep its word on making available para military forces for the purpose. The State Government's concern stems from its suspicion that the CNP Maoists could strike contact with the banned Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) which operated in Bihar and Jharkhand.
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