NEW DELHI, Jan 30 — Border Security Force (BSF) is likely to be deployed along the Indo-Bhutan border shortly in a bid to check the free movement of insurgents across the international border in the State, even as Assam Government sought additional para-military forces. At a meeting with Union Home Minister LK Advani, Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi briefed him about the prevailing situation in the State in the wake of the sudden spurt in killings by the underground outfits including the ULFA and the NDFB militants.
The Chief Minister who was accompanied by top State Government officials including Commissioner and Secretary, Subash Das pleaded that the Central Government expedite the process of deployment of BSF along the Bhutan border. The decision to hand over the border to the BSF was taken at the time of the Assembly polls in the State was yet to be implemented. The Chief Minister later told this newspaper that Sri Advani has agreed with the State Government’s perception and assured that BSF would be deployed shortly after the two sides work out the modalities for deployment. The BSF, it may be mentioned here has had after surveying the Indo-Bhutan border estimated that it requires at least 10 battalions to effectively cover the border in Assam sector.
Meanwhile, Assam Government has sought additional 59 companies of CRPF for deployment in the State. The 59 companies being sought is in tune with the assessment of force level in the State made by the Union Home Ministry, the Chief Minister said. In response, Sri Advani reportedly assured the delegation that the issue of raising additional forces is being taken up with the Union Finance Ministry, which is seized of the matter. The main focus of the meeting it appeared was trouble along the Indo-Bhutanese border, with the Assam Government also urging the Central Government to exert diplomatic pressures on Bhutan to wind up the camps run by the militants in the country. The State Government is not much impressed with the claim of the Royal Government of Bhutan about the ULFA militants vacating four camps last December in response to the ultimatum set by the Royal Government. Sri Gogoi said the State Government has mooted the proposal of border fencing and construction of border roads along the international border with Bhutan.