SHILLONG:
In solidarity with Bangladesh and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Border
Security Force (BSF) started the 'Maitri
Cycle Rally'on January 10, 2021 from the Border Out Post Panitar, 153
Battalion, BSF, 24 North Parganas District.
It is in consonance with 'Mujib Borsho', with effect from March 17, 2020
to December 16 2021, that Bangladesh is celebrating during the birth centenary
of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.
On February 2, the rally will enter the area of Frontier HQrs BSF Meghalaya through BOP Baldambari of 28 Bn BSF. It will be welcomed by S.K. Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Sector HQ BSF Tura. The cycle rallyists will cover the 445 km distance from BOP Baldambari to Rattachera of 97 Bn BSF in 10 days.
On Feb 12, the rallyists will exit from BSF Meghalaya Frontier and enter BSF Mizoram and Cachar to finish its journey at BSF BOP Silkor under Mizoram. Umesh Kumar Nayal, DIG/PRO said in a release, "The objective of this bicycle rally is to create the sense of security among the people living on the border, enhance friendship between BSF and BGB, stop trans-border crimes, stop cattle smuggling and also create awareness about evils of drug abuse."
ANTI-SMUGGLING MOVES: During January 2021, personnel of the BSF Meghalaya Frontier seized various items worth Rs 5,24,45,231 and apprehended 29 Indian and three Bangladeshi nationals on the Bangladesh border. Among the seized smuggled items are 796 cattle (valued at Rs 1,30,64,300); dry peas (1,65,751 kg valued at Rs 1,33,28,994); vehicles (22 valued at Rs 1,58,40,287); and miscellaneous items valued at Rs 36,604,944.
On February 1, the BSF troops deployed at BOP Umsyem and Rongtilla 30 Bn BSF apprehended three Indian smugglers along with 54 cattle worth Rs 9,76,000.
The seized cattle and the smugglers were handed over to Meghalaya police for further legal action, added another release.
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