Ranaghat, Aug. 6: The Border Security Force (BSF) has appealed to the state government to discourage farmers from cultivating tall crops—such as jute, mustard, and bananas—in areas beyond the border fencing. These crops obstruct the visibility of patrolling personnel, posing security risks.
Strategically, the BSF maintains a prohibition on plants taller than 2 feet, recognizing that taller vegetation can provide cover for miscreants. Despite this policy, many farmers along the Bengal border continue to grow such crops. Consequently, BSF authorities have instructed battalion commanders to collaborate with local administrations in enforcing these guidelines, especially in light of the evolving political situation in Bangladesh.
The Indo-Bangla border in South Bengal spans 913.3 km, with an additional 364 km of riverine stretch. In the North Bengal frontier, the border length is approximately 936.7 km. Unfenced areas of the border in South Bengal and North Bengal measure approximately 538 km and 375 km, respectively.
During a recent meeting between various stakeholders and the newly appointed Director General of BSF, Daljit Singh Chaudhary, the issue of tall crops was discussed. Following this meeting, BSF authorities from different battalions initiated coordination with local administrations to discourage farmers from cultivating tall crops for national security reasons.
In a coordination meeting held on Monday afternoon, the Nadia district administration and BSF’s two battalions at the Baronberia border outpost (under the Ranaghat subdivision) addressed the concern. SDO Ranaghat Raunak Agarwal assured BSF officials that they would encourage farmers to plant alternative horticultural items to mitigate the problem.
A senior BSF officer in Calcutta emphasized that their objection to tall plants like mustard, jute, and banana is not new. These crops significantly obstruct visibility, creating a security threat. Smugglers and criminals exploit the cover provided by such vegetation to ambush BSF personnel.
Additionally, the BSF has urged local administrations to ensure that shops and markets near the border close by 9 pm. Mosque announcements are being used to alert residents to stay away from border areas during nighttime hours.
BSF officials also encourage people to report any strangers noticed in their localities. Earlier, BSF DG Daljit Singh Chaudhary visited the Petrapole land port and the highly sensitive Ranghat border outpost in North 24 Parganas to review tactical and operational preparedness. His message to officers and personnel remains clear: preparedness is crucial, especially given the challenging conditions in Bangladesh. Vigilance and readiness are paramount in safeguarding our borders.