Shillong, June 26: A special patrolling party of BSF troops deployed at Baghmara, South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, apprehended four Bangladeshi nationals they are wome while they were infiltrating from Bangladesh into Indian territory. During search party recovered Lungi -24 Nos, Towel – 12 Nos, Washing soap – 40 Nos, Indian currency and BD Taka from their possession.
These women confessed before BSF that they wanted to sell Lungi, Towel, Washing soap in Bhaghmara market. After questioning they were identified as namely as smti Bina Hajong smit Nirma Sangma both resident of the village Guchogram, under police station Durgapur, District of Netrakona, Bangladesh, while smti Mallika Hajong residence of Bijoypur, under police station Durgapur, District Netrakona, Bangladesh and smti Shivli Sangma resident of Village Mahesh Para, under police station Durgapur District of Netrakona, Bangladesh.
The BSF clain that the Baghmara area has been notoriously known for such infiltration as people residing on the border in Bangladesh side want to sell such items to gain handsome money in comparison to their country. In 443 Km long border area in meghalaya only two border haats has been operating in Meghalaya state along Indo-Bangladesh border (at Kalaichar and Balat) and 4 more border haats has been sanctioned but not yet started functioning.
The border haats along the India-Bangladesh border are the enclosures constructed on the zero line and are opened once a week (Wednesdays for Kalaichar and Tuesdays for Balat) from 10 am to 3 pm. The commodities sold in these haats are exempted from customs duties. It allows a purchase of upto RS. 4,000 per person and transactions can be conducted in local currencies or through barter system. People residing within the close proximity of the border are able to frequent these haats, although the stipulated distance is only 5 km.
BSF has strengthened security on the international border and has been conducting special operations on the Border for preventing of illegal movement and to curb smuggling.
