India tightens security along borders

The Centre has decided to set up 13 integrated check posts (ICPs) along borders to enhance vigilance at entry points from neighbours and prevent infiltration of undesirable persons and smuggling of arms and ammunition. The focus would be along the border with Bangladesh.

Although Rs 635 crore had been allocated in the 11th five-year plan, work on ICPs caught the Centre’s attention only after terrorist hits Guwahati and Mumbai last year. The ICPs are also meant to ensure greater coordination between various agencies connected with border operations such as immigration, customs and border security force.

The Land Posts Authority Bill, recently passed by Parliament, paves the way for setting up an authority to oversee the entire operation related to ICPs. The major focus is on the Indo-Bangladesh border, a major point of illegal immigration, where seven of the 13 posts would be set up. It is followed by Indo-Nepal border (four posts) and India-Pakistan and India-Myanmar borders (one each).

In the first phase, four ICPs will be set up at Attari (Indo-Pak border), Moreh (Indo-Myanmar border), Ruxol (Indo-Nepal) and Petrapole (Indo-Bangladesh border). Nine more ICPs will be set up in the second phase.

Although the ICPs have also been planned to boost trade through land with these countries, a home ministry spokesman said the entire exercise has a strong security angle, as the points would have modern gadgets to verify travel documents and scan cargo moving through these routes. These centres would be equipped with the latest security and scanning gadget particularly on Indo-Bangladesh border, to check fake travel documents, he added.