GUWAHATI, Oct 11: The second line of defence was put in place along the 263-km border of Asom with Bangladesh in order to make international border security airtight so that if any infiltrators or militants penetrate the first line of defence comprising BSF personnel, the second line comprising personnel of the Assam Police (border wing) can catch them. It was for this important role it has to play, the second line of defence was called the ‘dedicated force’ of the two-line security set-up that is put in place along the international border with Bangladesh in the Asom sector. What is socking is that this so-called dedicated second line of defence has only 160 personnel to guard the 263-km international border with Bangladesh, including the riverine border, thanks to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who also holds the Home portfolio.
The May 5, 2005 tripartite talks between the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), the State Government and the Centre in presence of Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had also laid special thrust on the second line of defence. However, various organizations of the State, including the AASU, made no inquiry into the ground reality of the second line of defence. It is everybody’s guess that 160 personnel of the Assam Police (border wing) manning the 263-km international border with Bangladesh is next to impossible. The skeleton staff in one of the most important wings of the State police force exposes the sincerity on the part of the Chief Minister on the security of the State. In fact the 263-km border of the State with Bangladesh is a standing threat to the State when infiltration of Bangladeshis and militants is taken into consideration. According to official sources, the second line of defence that has 12 border outposts and two technical headquarters is manned by 21 sub-inspectors, 23 head constables, 51 constables, seven havildars, six naiks and 52 AB constables. The force has no inspectors. THE SENTINEL
The May 5, 2005 tripartite talks between the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), the State Government and the Centre in presence of Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had also laid special thrust on the second line of defence. However, various organizations of the State, including the AASU, made no inquiry into the ground reality of the second line of defence. It is everybody’s guess that 160 personnel of the Assam Police (border wing) manning the 263-km international border with Bangladesh is next to impossible. The skeleton staff in one of the most important wings of the State police force exposes the sincerity on the part of the Chief Minister on the security of the State. In fact the 263-km border of the State with Bangladesh is a standing threat to the State when infiltration of Bangladeshis and militants is taken into consideration. According to official sources, the second line of defence that has 12 border outposts and two technical headquarters is manned by 21 sub-inspectors, 23 head constables, 51 constables, seven havildars, six naiks and 52 AB constables. The force has no inspectors. THE SENTINEL
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