The Hindu : `Border fencing may be over in two years'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 03, 2003

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Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

`Border fencing may be over in two years'

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU FEB 2. Despite Pakistan's continued attempts to disrupt work on fencing the 187 km International Border (IB) in the Jammu region, the Border Security Force (BSF) has completed the work on 40 km and the task is likely to be completed in two years. The BSF has also resumed flag meetings with Pakistan.

Giving details about the tough task in view of Pakistan's continuous attempts to disrupt the fencing work by resorting to heavy firing, the IG BSF, Jammu frontier, Dilip Trivedi, said his force had been working continuously despite provocations from the other side. The fencing work was first taken up by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) but it abandoned the project as the firing from the Pakistani side increased and the agency could not face that threat. The work was resumed later by the BSF on January 14, 2000 by taking up work on 15 km which gradually was extended, said Mr. Trivedi.

Though it became difficult for the BSF to continue the work, it first raised earthen embankments that provided cover for the workers. Initially, even local labourers refused to come, but with the first phase coming up they also came forward to join the BSF.

Flag meeting resumed

Meanwhile, after a gap of over a year, the BSF has resumed flag meetings with its Pakistani counterpart. Mr. Trivedi said the meeting took place two weeks ago and a civilian who had strayed into Pakistani side was handed over back to this side.

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