Dispur to set up 50 Border Outposts along inter-state borders

GUWAHATI: The State Government has planned to set up 50 inter-state BOPs (border outposts), besides the ongoing negotiations with the neighbouring states to resolve inter-state boundary disputes in three phases.

The border wing of the Assam Police has already identified 50 spots for BOPs in consultation with the superintendents of police (SPs) of the districts sharing borders with neighbouring states.

While the Centre deals with all matters related to BOPs along international borders, the state governments take all decisions regarding BOPs along interstate borders.

According to sources in the State Border Protection and Development Department, the Assam Police has identified the spots and BOPs along the inter-state borders and shared them with the department for the construction of 50 new BOPs. The department has initiated the matter with the state Public Works Department (PWD) for the construction works.

According to the sources in the department, the State Government will construct the 50 BOPs in three phases: 20 each in the first and second phases, and ten in the third phase. In phase I, seven of the BOPs will be along the Nagaland border, one will share the border with both Nagaland and Manipur, and 12 will be along the Mizoram border.

In phase 1, the Cachar district will have 11 BOPs: two each in Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong, and Jorhat, and one each in Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Karimganj.

In phase II, the State Government will set up ten BOPs each along the Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh borders. The district-wise breakup is: four in Tinsukia, three in West Karbi Anglong, two each in South Salmara, Kamrup, Udalguri, and Dhemaji; one each in Goalpara, Morigaon, Kamrup (M), Dibrugarh, and Lakhimpur.

In phase III, eight of the ten BOPs will be along the Arunachal Pradesh border and two along the border with West Bengal. The district-wise breakup of the ten BOPs is: four each in Lakhimpur and Biswanath, and two in Dhubri.

Speaking to The Sentinel, Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora said, “The setting up of new BOPs along the inter-state border is a must as the intervals between the existing BOPs are very wide, and a few of the stretches are sensitive in nature. The BOPs are also essential for the safety and security of people living along the interstate borders.

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