BSF reaches out to locals for intel
KISHANGANJ: The Border Security Force has been seeing signs of success in a programme to rope in young people in largely Muslim border districts of West Bengal and Bihar. Since last year, it has been educating students about both the objectives of the armed forces and the rewards of a career as a soldier or officer.
The programme aims to add more locals to the BSF in parts of the country that are infamous for illegal crossings by Bangladeshis and criminal activities like smuggling.
Last month, a tip from a local enabled the border guards to uncover an 80-metre long tunnel stretching from Bangladesh to Lakhipur, a town in North Dinajpur, PK Ranjan, second in command at the BSF headquarters in Kishanganj, said.
In addition to informative lectures about the workings of the BSF, the border guards are also conducting sessions of running and weightlifting to make students physically fit for recruitment.
Thus far the drive has been confined to a small number of schools, but the BSF plans to extend its efforts to numerous madrasas in the area.
“We have conducted programmes at four schools in Kishanganj (in Bihar) and also a few schools in North Dinajpur in West Bengal. The idea is to make students aware how a career in the BSF is both challenging and prestigious,” said Ranjan.