Watchful Eyes

R.C. Sharma

India has vast land and coastal borders with different terrain and weather conditions. The length of land borders is 15,106.70km while that of coastal line is 7,516.6km including island territories. The terrain comprises plains, deserts, marshy wetlands, riverine stretches, forests, high altitude mountains and semi-mountainous regions. It is interspersed with rivers, rivulets and deep foliage. In many places, road connectivity across the borders is dysfunctional due to political divide and perennially strained bilateral relations with the neighbours. Infrastructural problems are compounded by weather extremities which make border life and operations difficult for the border-guarding forces.

Most Indian border regions are densely populated on both sides. Cross border relations amongst population exist since ages. India has de-jure fenced and unfenced borders, de-facto fenced and unfenced borders and even un-demarcated stretches. The characteristics of Indian borders are sour relations with the counterparts, underdevelopment, illegal migration, inadvertent crossings, infiltration, militancy and terrorism, drug trafficking, smuggling of various products for economic benefits.

Security of international borders is responsibility of border guarding forces. The Border Security Force (BSF) guards Pakistan and Bangladesh border, the Nepal and Bhutan borders are guarded by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Myanmar border by Assam Rifles. Border guarding in India is manpower intensive with miniscule technical support. The length of Indo-Pakistan border is 3,323km and Indo-Bangladesh border 4,096.70km. Both borders are volatile, dangerous and difficult to guard due to historical factors and current security environment.

Control of borders signifies sovereignty of nation over its territory. The border-guarding pattern to exercise sovereignty is totally manpower intensive with negligible technical support integrated with manpower. However, to make border guarding impregnable, to reduce stress and for successful operational profile, there is  an urgent need to look beyond manpower. Technological solutions have to be found for effective border security and surveillance. This will deter anti-national elements from violating the sanctity of international boundary, enhance border security, improve economic activity in border areas and increase operational effectiveness. This model will also provide respite to troops from tough and gruelling schedule. Let us analyse how to go for this model and how to implement the model.

Even with technological advancements, BSF makes do with old methods and equipment for border guarding

West and East

The working environment of western and eastern borders is diametrically and drastically different. The terrain, riverine areas, demographic