India has set up 616 outposts on its borders with Nepal and Bhutan but Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has said that desired and effective coverage of borders with these countries could be achieved only by 2016, when around 10,000 more personnel will become part of the force.
The SSB guards the 1,751 km Indo-Nepal border, which has 466 Border Outposts (BOP) and 699 km Indo-Bhutan border with 150 BOPs.
SSB Director- General Arun Chaudhary said the force plans to increase its battalions to 73 by 2016 from existing 58.
Chaudhary said the existing border outposts are functional but “desired and effective” coverage of the borders would only be achieved in another three years. As of now 49 battalions -- around 49,000 personnel – are deployed on the borders.
“Another eight battalions are deployed in Kashmir and naxal-affected areas. SSB units are also called out for short term deployment in internal security duties in troubles areas,” he said.
Chanchal Shekhar, SSB DIG (Operations), told reporters that eight battalions are being raised now and by April 2015, the force is likely to have 96,093 from the existing 73,325. By the end of this fiscal, SSB plans to have 85,755 personnel in its force.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Friday asked SSB to check anti-national elements from taking advantage of the country's friendly relations with its neighbours. Calling the task of guarding open and friendly borders with Nepal and Bhutan a "big challenge", he said security forces should ensure "total curb" on illegal activities.
Shinde also asked the force to continue undertaking social welfare activities like providing education and healthcare to people living in border areas.
The SSB is also deputing nearly 6,000 personnel for anti-Maoist operations in naxal-infested states. This is besides the existing three battalions currently deployed in Jharkhand and Bihar. During their operations, the SSB personnel have apprehended 38 naxals.
Since its inception, Chaudhary said, the force has seized contraband worth Rs 500 crore, which include narcotics worth Rs 254 crore. This year alone, contrabands worth Rs 110 crore have been seized.