-KB Bramhacharya
Border Security is progress and Challenges with the use of Technology, Tactical Infrastructure, and Personnel (armed and civilians) to secure the North South international border.
It is essential to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with deploying surveillance technology—a mix of radars, sensors, CC TV , patrols and cameras along international border. Even though, additional tools are needed to fully implement mandiatory task of Apf to achieve National goal.
The Border Patrols ( separately and integrated) have reported that border fencing supports agents’ ability to respond to illicit cross-border activities by slowing the progress of illegal entrants along to create people that illegal acts are harm to people and nation.
Central government and provincial government are hope fully taking a steps in sustainable tactical infrastructure—such as fencing, roads, informants, CCTV, lighting—along north south border.
As from the history, international demarcated of real Nepal was ten times greater than now. Times again empires from Nepal & neighboring countries were invaded. Lastly The Indo-Nepal Treaty 1950 of Peace and friendship with length of 1,770 kilometers and 35 border points as current shape on 15 August 1947. But has been changing.
Former pm KP Oli government published a new political map of Nepal in May last year including Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani area as part of the Nepal territory.
In India, SSB 45000 personals are deployed in Indo- Nepal border with its total SSB 94000. where as 22000 APF personnel are deployed in border areas with its 37 thousand strength.
Relation between Nepal and China got a boost when both countries solved all border disputes along the China–Nepal border by signing the Sino-Nepal boundary agreement on March 21, 1960. Nepal is the first neighboring country of China to agree and ratify a border treaty that was on October 5, 1961.
Nepal has maintained a policy of balancing the competing influence of China and India from 1975.
Similarly, 2012, Nepal and China is 1,389 kilometers in length. It runs in a northwest-southeast direction along the Himalayan mountain range including Mount Everest. It was agreed to open total six official ports. Three ports are designated as international ports, while three only designated for bilateral trade.
It is necessary to understand about international border and its potential security on invasion, encroachment, illegal cross-border movement and smuggling and crimes.
Which is influenced by personnel, intentional, organizational as well national interest too. Most activities except border increment directly or indirectly affiliated to benefits of Immediate aim of personal as well organization itself.
Security specialists have been provoking since from long time about border & its seriousness. Some are very bias to Nepal Army , some are Nepal police & very few are APF which seems permanent a paid agents of organizations. That is actually really a not good & very a tolerable to morale and professionalism. Security specialist would be better critically analysis on the base of past & post world wars keeping in mind of mandatory task given by Nepal Government. For example, Vietnam easily defeated US army in second world war not by only military actions, it was caused of strong integrated actions even had no sophisticated modern weapons in comparison.
It has to be understood the duty & responsibility of whom in what aspect at how much ? Prime role mostly been playing by local people who have been working as human shield and early warning of illegal activities along the border. Where it needs never steps back immediate action against counter parts with local means.
Even knowing their dedication, devotion along high level of sacrifice. Neither government nor political leaders are serious on their rights of living, free of moving and legalpower. They are always in survival with lack of finance, foresight and bright future of individuals and families.
Government still have even no plan plan to establish permanent peace & security along the international border and peacelovingpeople. Numbers of High level meetings & seminars were completed only with conclusion of requiring new separate border security forces, bilateral talks, joint observations units With no deeply on, how to address to enhance capabilities of existing security forces with techno facilities and modern weapons and equipment( APF ,Nepal police & Nepal Army and National investigation department)
Government still hesitate to strict order to security Forces for mandatory deployment in assigned locations with defined duties. As knowledge of India, SSB has been deploying in border area with its legal parameters.
Here in Nepal, Government still in much confuses of task and responsibilities of Nepal police, Nepal Army , APF Nepal and National investigation departments as tasked changed times again as interest of political parties which creating confusion to all security forces. Then, how will border secures? If really looking for successful secure of borders, following steps immediately requred for implemented in earliest time,
1) Division of task should immediately act on borders by respective security organizations. Full authorities should be given to APF Nepal with its perimeter and legal parameter( distance from international border) effective and productive result.
2) Necessary to Withdrawal of border security posts of Nepal police from international border areas just with remains of nominal police for to deal of community disputes and coordinate act with APF Nepal. which can definitely remove blame & bluff to APF.
3) plan for essential deployment of Army covert components in international border area for intelligence collection that requires for strategic planning in conventional issues.
4) Needs withdrawal of APF from community duties in town areas with nominal remains of special task Force to support Nepal police in critical and information collection.
5) Deployment of APF should be given legal parameters from perimeter( distance from International border) and additional incentive to deployed security personnel.
6) Needs to establish Parallel market along international border to stop illegal movement due they have similar facilities here in Nepal.
7) Needs long term promotional plan and projects for border area people in health, education and capacity building.
8) Needs contingency employment plan and sustainable development projects for border area people.
9) Needs massive public consoling to local people for create self realization that illegal acts keeps we in hell at last.
If Government is not serious on implement mentioned proposals and promotional projects along the border, one day we seriously going to lose nationalism from the people of international border areas. Due to all, deployed security forces are being means of harassment and obstacle to their daily life. Though they insist of doing illegal activities which is pushed by poverty, illiteracy, promotive society. if unsolved mentioned factors, border disputes can never solve.