Additional IRB Coy deployed in CCpur to check cross border movement
Source: The Sangai Express / DIO

CCpur, April 23 2020: As part of the Government's constant efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the State and to further strengthen and streamline the efforts to keep strict vigil along the Indo-Myanmar border particularly in the Indian side under Singngat sub-division in Churachandpur district, one additional company of IRB has been deployed from yesterday and the company has been tasked to strengthen the concerted efforts of the district police and AR to close gaps by carrying out regular patrolling activities.

Intensified patrolling to stop cross-border movement of people and spreading awareness among the public residing on the Indian side of Indo-Myanmar border areas in Churachandpur district are among other measures taken up by Churachandpur district police, in co-ordination with civil administration, Assam Rifles and other security agencies in their unwavering fight against the spread of COVID-19 .

Additional IRB Coy deployed in CCpur to check cross border movement

To ensure that cross-border movement of people is stopped, regular patrolling activities are conducted by personnel of Behiang PS and Singngat PS, in co-ordination with the Assam Rifles, police sources said.

One additional company of IRB has been deployed from yesterday.

The dry river beds are hot spots for crossing over and therefore Tuivai, Samtui and Tuivel river beds are covered during such exercises.

SDPO Churachandpur Bijoy Kumar has also been stationed at Behiang PS to monitor and supervise all activities along the border, in co-ordination with the Assam Rifles.

There are also reports of some people trying to cross over from Khaukual village in Sangaikot sub-division, for which police teams have been deployed and villagers have been sensitised.

The international boundary stretching from Border Pillar (BP) 32 (Sinzawl village) to BP 48 (T Khuangkhai village) is 79.5 Kms long.

The terrain is rugged, mountainous, and seasonal rivers like Samtui, Tuivel and Tuivai form natural borders between the two countries.

With the outbreak of COVID-19 and the announcement of a National lockdown to contain it, it was imperative for district police to take up all measures to stop movement from and to Myanmar.

Moreover, for strict monitoring and vigilance along the border, police personnel, civil administration and doctors held frequent meetings to educate villagers on measures taken up to fight COVID-19 and the importance of stopping all entry and exit through the border so that they are dissuaded from extending cooperation to people wanting to cross over.

It may be recalled here that the district administration, with the help of district police and Assam Rifles, sealed motorable roads connected to Myanmar at three locations - BP No 35/36 at Suangdai Village, BP No 40/41 at Behiang and BP No 39 at Suangphuh village on April 1 .

Movement of people and vehicles is strictly prohibited, yet there have been two instances of violating the prohibition.

All the accused were apprehended by police and AR team and were handed over to IDSP team.

They were later sent to Government quarantine centre, Bijang as per standard operating procedures.

It is also pertinent to mention that recently one girl crossed over from Myanmar illegally and an FIR was registered against her for crossing over and her family members for abetting.

One Shaktiman which had crossed over to Myanmar to smuggle fuel in barrels into India was also seized and three persons were arrested.

On April 16, senior officers of the State Govt led by Suhel Akhtar, Addl Chief Secretary and accompanied by L Haokip; P Vaiphei; DC Churachandpur Pawan Yadav; SP Churachandpur Amrita Sinha; Additional SP Churachandpur Shivanand Surve visited Pakmual village (BP 37 & 38) to effectively stop movement of people and vehicles.

An interaction programme with village chiefs, village authority representatives and Church leaders was also held at Behiang PS .

Apart from educating them on the dangers of COVID 19, modalities for effective delivery of rice under various schemes were also discussed and also their cooperation was sought to stop trans-border movement.