Emphasis on developing better understanding between SSB and APF, Nepal at Gangtok on January 9
Amalendu Kundu
The 6th Dy Inspector General Level Co-ordination meeting between Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal was held at SSB Sector in Development Area here at Gangtok on January 9. Suraj Kumar Shrestha, DIG APF, Sunsari, Nepal led the nine members delegation of APF Nepal.
Briefing newspersons about the deliberations of the meeting at a joint press conference, the DIG, SSB, Gangtok Sector, Shri Vandan Saxena, the DIG, SSB, Ranidanga Sector BK Pal and the DIG, APF, Nepal Suraj Kumar Shrestha outlined the need for a stronger co-ordination and co-operation between the two forces deployed on the both sides of the border.
Vandan Saxena opined that the two sides emphasised on better co-ordination for preventing trans-border crimes. He informed that the meeting discussed the issues of repair and re-construction of damaged and missing border pillars,
prevention of human trafficking, prevention of circulation of fake currency, and prevention of smuggling of wild life products. He added that identification of likely routes to be used by smugglers and criminals and prevention of anti-social elements/criminals across the border were also discussed in detail.
In response to queries, Saxena replied that the incidents of fake Indian currency smuggling have almost stopped
post-demonetisation. He assured that there are no reports of human trafficking across the border from Sikkim. Though strict vigil is maintained on the Indo-Nepal border, particularly under the Ranidanga Sector, to check the illegal movement of men and contraband goods, there is no proposal for fencing along the open border given the rich traditional and friendly relations between India and Nepal, he added. Vandan Saxena said that with both sides considering the smuggling across the border as the main problem, Nepal side raised some points about joint action by the two forces to which decision will be taken and communicated soon.
The DIG, APF, Nepal Suraj Kumar Shrestha stressed that there was no ban on grazing of cattles in Nepal and hence, straying of cattles for grazing from Sikkim side, where there was a ban on grazing, into Nepal is no issue. Responding to a query, Shreshtha assured that steps would be taken to strengthen mutual understanding and co-operation between the two forces.
Earlier, in this meeting SSB also informed the APF, Nepal about its Civic Action Programmes (Medical Civic Action/Veterinary Civic Action /Samajik Chetna Abhiyan and other self employment & training programmes organised for bordering population. Emphasis was also given on organising flag meetings regularly on borders to develop a good understanding, co-operation and strengthening the co-ordination between both the forces. H L Tshering, (O&I), Rajiv Rana, Commandant, 41st Bn, S K Dogra, Commandant, 12th Bn, D B Negi, Offg Commandant, 19th Bn, D K Singh, Offg Commandant, 29th Bn, Ms Sonam Yudron, Area Organiser/Staff Officer, Sanjay Pandey, Off Commandant, 36th Bn, Sh Samson Ghatraj, Sushanta Mallik, SAO, and B K Biswakarma, (PS) also attended the meeting alongwith DIG, SSB while 08 senior officers of APF participated in the discussion alongwith DIG,APF, Nepal. In the meeting SSB also provided its brochure of Gangtok Sector to DIG, APF, Nepal depicting various works being carried out by SSB
for the benefit of people along
Indo-Nepal Border.
(The writer is Sikkim based journalist)
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