ITBP, other forces will induct border villagers

In view of the rising tensions with China, border guarding forces like the Indo-Tibetan Border Police will now try to recruit residents of remote border villages along the Indo-China border as their knowledge of the area will help in better patrolling and surveillance.

Sources said the home ministry felt in view of the tussle at the LAC, a change was needed in the recruitment pattern of these forces, specially in sensitive areas where the terrain is extremely difficult. It would help to have a “local component” to provide vital logistical information.

In view of increasing tension with China, border guarding forces like Indo Tibetan Border Police will now go in for major recruitment of people from remote villages and of residents along the Indo-China border as their knowledge of the entire local area would help in better patrolling and surveillance of the sensitive border positions.

Sources claimed even home ministry is of the opinion that in view of the ongoing tussle with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) a change was required in the recruitment pattern of the border guarding forces, particularly in sensitive areas like China where the terrain is extremely difficult and harsh for patrolling and surveillance. Hence, it was important to have a “local component’’ in the forces which can help in providing vital logistical information.

“The entire terrain or region along the China border is extremely harsh and difficult to monitor and to do patrolling. Due to this some areas or patches are not covered by our border guarding forces so China takes advantage of such situation. So in hilly areas the local people have great knowledge about the entire region and can better inform our forces as which area need to be kept under more surveillance,’’ a senior ministry official said.

Thus, it has now been decided that ITBP will start hiring more of local people in all of its three sectors of northern, central and western. These local people will be deployed in areas and region they are familiar with. Officials in paramilitary forces claimed that these locals will not just be used as “guides in patrolling duties’’ but will be part of the force with a permanent posting.

There is a growing view within the home ministry that all border guarding forces including BSF and SSB must have “local spotters.’’ The project would be started within ITBP and analysing its success it would gradually be extended to other border guarding forces as well.