BSF lends a helping hand to people living along the border in Tripura

Agartala, Mar 29 (ANI): The Border Security Force (BSF) has set up a camp in the West Tripura's Baumutia village to reach out to people in living near the India-Bangladesh border.

The village is not close to big markets and lacks basic facilities. More than 500 people from nearby villages thronged the BSF camp.

"BSF is protecting the borders. It also has the responsibility of looking after the well being and development of the border population. It aims to inculcate a sense of security by developing cordial relations and getting the co-operation with the border villages. It also helps in curbing border crimes," said S L Negi, commandant, 6 BSF.

Most of these villagers are below the poverty line. The doctors at the camp provided them free medical checkups and medicines for various ailments and the children were given vaccinations. Along with the health camp, hundreds of students also visited the camp to collect books and stationery. During the camp, officers also interacted with the villagers and talked to them about border management and security issues.

"Most of the people living in the border villages are poor and they cannot provide their children with books, copies and various other things. The Panchayat also is not financially able to meet these needs. So we welcome the initiative taken by the BSF and we hope that more such programmes will be organized," said Tilaktama Sarkar, the village chief.

"The hospitals are far away and the treatment is expensive. Poor people like us cannot afford it. So this free health camp organised by BSF is a big boon for us," said Aruti Sarkar, a villager.

Tripura shares an 856 km long porous border with Bangladesh, which is used often by traffickers, smugglers and militants. The BSF patrols this border and takes care of the security with the cooperation of the people of the region. (ANI)