The recent arrest of Shariful Islam, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi national accused of stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, has highlighted concerns over the porous nature of the India-Bangladesh border.
According to a news report published in Hindustan Times, Islam allegedly entered India illegally by crossing the Umngot River near Dawki in Meghalaya, subsequently living under the alias Vijay Das.
He resided in West Bengal, where he reportedly used a resident's Aadhaar card to obtain a mobile phone connection, before moving to Mumbai in search of work.
The 4,096.7 km India-Bangladesh border, India's longest land frontier, presents significant challenges for security forces due to its riverine terrain.
Despite existing fencing, areas like the Umngot River remain vulnerable, especially during winters when water levels drop to waist height, facilitating illegal crossings.
From August 2023 to December 2024, the Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended 355 individuals, including Bangladeshis, local facilitators, and smugglers, along Meghalaya's border with Bangladesh.
Hindustan Times citing a BSF officer reported that the difficulties in monitoring such a vast and challenging terrain, emphasising the urgent need for complete fencing in vulnerable areas.
Efforts are underway to expedite land acquisition for this purpose.
Currently, 367.155 km of Meghalaya's 443 km border with Bangladesh is fenced, with ongoing work to cover an additional 19.759 km.
The unfenced sections remain susceptible to infiltration and smuggling, often with local involvement.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has acknowledged the urgency of completing the fencing, especially following political changes in Bangladesh.
He emphasised the need for decisive action and community engagement to curb infiltration.
Tripura, sharing an 856 km border with Bangladesh, has also been identified as a preferred route for illegal crossings, facilitated by local networks.
The arrest of Islam underscores the broader security challenges posed by the porous India-Bangladesh border.
ALSO READ : Why Is Assam Not Stopping Bangladeshi Influx Through Its Borders: Jharkhand CM
The Story Mug is a Guwahati-based Blogzine. Here, we believe in doing stories beyond the normal.