Difficult terrain and lack of manpower a constraint for BSF

The difficult terrain and lack of manpower were a constraint for the Border Security Force manning the Indo-Bangla border in the Shillong sector, DIG, Sector headquarters of BSF in Shillong, Brigadier P R Batra said on Wednesday.

He was speaking to reporters after a free medical camp for the Indo-Bangladesh border villagers organised by the 21st battalion of the Border Security Force in Muktapur as part of its civic action programme.

Brigadier Batra inaugurated the medical camp in Muktapur in Jaintia hills district, about 110 km from the state capital in the presence of DIG Medical from Frontier Headquarter of BSF Shillong, Dr U N Panda and Commandant of 121 battalion of the BSF.

The response from local populace belonging to Muktapur has been warm, Amki, Amjalong, Hawaitilla, Nongkhen, Rongtilla, Madoh and Lakara villages, in which about 1000 patients were examined by a team of doctors and provided free medicines, BSF sources said.

A cultural programme was organised to entertain the villagers with the BSF jazz band, where village headmen and local civil administration took part.

A meeting of the village headmen, civil administration and BSF authorities was organised to discuss the existing problems in the border area and to work for better understanding amongst all present for effective border management.