The BSF has claimed that attempts of trans-border violation by Bangladeshi goons have increased due to the lockdown following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The troops, guarding the 443.8km border in the Meghalaya sector with Bangladesh, on Tuesday attributed the increasing attempts of trans-border violations to economic slowdown and unemployment.

“The Bangladeshi nationals infiltrate with an intention to smuggle mainly forest produce such as timbers . They are sometimes involved in smuggling of liquor and other contrabands, taking advantage of the porous border and unfenced gaps,” a BSF official said.

He added that the Bangladeshi nationals show aggressive gesture and often confront the BSF when they are stopped along the international border.

In one such instance, on Saturday, some Bangladeshi nationals entered into the Indian territory for collecting logs floating in one of the rivers in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. They outnumbered the BSF personnel and confronted them, but the troops managed to push them back by using non-lethal weapons.

“The BSF continues its fight on two fronts — cross-border crimes and coronavirus. The force is putting all out efforts to intensify vigil along the international border to curb illegal trans-border movement and crimes for containing the spread of Covid-19 as well as ensuring security along the international border,” the official said.

Local residents living along the international border have made several complaints against trans-border crime by Bangladeshi nationals during the lockdown period.

In response to the complaints, the Meghalaya government has sent personnel from the Border Wing Home Guards to ensure safety and security of the people living along the unfenced areas of the border.

These personnel have been posted in police stations/outposts to supplement the police and village defence parties.