Sashastra Seema Bal to deploy plain-clothes commandos on Indo-Nepal border

PITHORAGARH: Sashastra Seema Bal will deploy plain-clothes commandos at all 22 trade and transit routes spread over 1,761 km Indo-Nepal border to intensify security and keep a tab on illegal activities such as smuggling.

"We are deputing specially trained commandos at all 22 trade and transit routes along the Indo-Nepal border from this year. This would reduce fear of the uniform among locals who could also extend help in nabbing smugglers and trade of counterfeit currency at the border," SSB Additional Director General Somesh Goyal said during a press conference at Ranikhet today.

He was addressing the media on the last leg of his three- day visit to SSB regional headquarters at Ranikhet in Almora district.

The trial deputations have been started after forming a coordination committee for the purpose, Goyal said.

"The force wants to get maximum cooperation from locals residing near these transit and trade routes to keep a tab on smugglers and wildlife traders.

Increased presence of commandos in plain clothes could help them get greater cooperation and confidence of locals in getting timely information on illegal activities like smuggling and wildlife trafficking, the ADG said.

Officers of the SSB headquarters here said that the project includes security of four main trade routes of Jhoolaghat, Dharchula, Banbasa and Gauriphanta which pass through 414 km long Uttarakhand border with Nepal and come under frontal headquarter at Ranikhet.

"We have also decided to increase 19 border posts at this border which will be additional to 81 border posts already under function under the headquarter at Ranikhet," the SSB ADG said.