Assam CM: Indo-Bangladesh Border in Dhubri District a High-Crime Area

According to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s statement in the Assembly on Monday, the Indo-Bangladesh border in Assam’s Dhubri district is a high-crime area that includes cattle smuggling. The BSF is responsible for maintaining strict surveillance in the region to control such activities.

While acknowledging that the heightened security measures may sometimes cause difficulties for locals, Sarma noted that the state government can only address these concerns after consulting with the BSF. In response to a query from AIUDF legislator Nazrul Hoque, Sarma emphasised that the India-Bangladesh border is a sensitive zone where various illegal activities such as cattle smuggling and illegal trading take place frequently, requiring the BSF to take a range of precautionary measures.

According to reports, during a recent Assembly discussion, MLA Nazrul Hoque expressed concerns about the daily closure of markets located two kilometres from the international border in Dhubri district by BSF personnel at 5 pm, and inquired whether any such instructions had been issued.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, who holds the Home portfolio, explained that prohibitory orders under CrPC section 144 are in place within 500 metres of the Indo-Bangladesh border from 6 pm to 5 am daily.

He acknowledged that the BSF needs to be strict in the area, which is a high-crime zone, but was not aware of their views on the matter raised by Hoque. Sarma further stated that he would ask the deputy commissioner to hold discussions with all stakeholders, including the BSF, to determine what steps could be taken to minimise issues. He also provided statistics from 2021, stating that 1181 cases were registered in the border district, 612 vehicles were seized, 1326 people were arrested, and 13,000 cattle heads were seized, with 617 cattle-related cases filed.