Madhya Pradesh forest dept to provide 700 US-made guns to BSF

The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department will give 700 pump action guns from its armoury to the Border Security Force (BSF) for deployment along the International Border with restive Bangladesh, a senior official said on Friday.

Rubber bullets are fired from these guns and they are used in the state to push back armed poachers and tree-felling gangs, said MP Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Protection) PK Singh.

“We will give 700 pump action guns from our armoury to the BSF,” Singh said. He confirmed that the MP government had asked the Forest Department for these guns after getting a letter from the Home Ministry in connection with ramping up security along the border with Bangladesh.

According to another official, these guns were imported from US-based Maverick Arms Inc in 2008, adding that the firearm has a single barrel and is of 12 GA (gauge) calibre.

India shares a 4,096-km border with Bangladesh, including 2,217 km along West Bengal. Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya also share borders with that nation.

Bangladesh has been in the grip of political turmoil after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 5 in the face of strident protests and fled to India. Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus is heading the interim government there presently. Following the unrest in Bangladesh, the BSF has enhanced its vigil along the border to thwart attempts of illegal entry by citizens of that country into India.

India flags rising infiltration attempts

• Indian security personnel on Thursday met their Bangladesh counterparts at the Fulbari border post in Darjeeling and flagged the issue of rising illegal infiltration into the country.
• They also asked them to ensure the safety of Indian nationals and members of minority community. TNS