The borders of Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, including the Line of Control (LoC), are regions marred by multifaceted security challenges stemming from internal security threats and transborder crimes. These nations grapple with issues ranging from insurgency and terrorism to drug trafficking and illegal migration, creating a complex security landscape. Along the Myanmar border, the presence of insurgent groups like the Arakan Army and the Rohingya crisis contribute to instability, while in Bangladesh, smuggling, human trafficking, and Rohingya refugee influx pose significant challenges. Along the LoC and Pakistan border, tensions between India and Pakistan escalate periodically, fostering an environment ripe for transborder crimes and cross-border militant activities.
Various security forces play pivotal roles in addressing these challenges. In Myanmar, the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) leads counterinsurgency operations against rebel groups, often with controversial human rights implications. Additionally, paramilitary forces like the Border Guard Police are involved in maintaining border security. In Bangladesh, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) combats smuggling and illegal migration while collaborating with other agencies to address transnational threats. Along the LoC and Pakistan border, the Indian Army, alongside paramilitary forces like the Border Security Force (BSF), is tasked with thwarting infiltration attempts and countering cross-border terrorism. Similarly, the Pakistani military, including the Pakistan Rangers, shoulders the responsibility of securing the border and combating various threats emanating from its side.
Despite the efforts of these security forces, the porous nature of these borders, coupled with socio-political complexities, presents persistent challenges. Cooperation among neighboring countries and the adoption of comprehensive strategies encompassing both security and development initiatives are imperative to effectively tackle internal security threats and transborder crimes in these regions.
Tag: Role of external state and non-state actors, in creating challenges to internal security. Security challenges and their management in border areas- linkages with organized crime with terrorism. Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Decoding the Question:
- In Introduction, try to write about cross border crimes and security threats.
- In Body,
- Discuss how transborder crimes are creating internal security challenges along Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Pakistan (Including LOC) border.
- Discuss role played by security forces in this regard.
- Try to conclude by giving relevant suggestions.
Answer:
India has a large and complex border covering around 15106.7 km, which it shares with Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan as well as a small portion with Afghanistan. Cross border crimes are considered as illegal activities such as trafficking of drugs, cattle, humans, artefacts, fake currency notes etc. which continuously create problems/challenges for internal security.
Internal Security Threats and Transborder Crimes Along Pakistan Border:
- Drug trafficking: Illicit drug trafficking creates issues like drug abuse among youths, drug addicted young force become liability for any country and it resulted into loss of young workforce, Money earned from drug trade later can be used to fund terrorism and internal security threats.
- Illegal arms: Illegal arms supply like guns, ammunition, bombs and grenades help militants to wage undeclared war against our security forces along India- Pakistan border.
- Fake currency notes: Fake notes of denomination of 2000 and 500 rupees notes are frequently transported across the border. Pakistan’s ISI uses counterfeit currency to fund terrorist organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad etc for terrorist attacks in India.
Cross border crimes and internal security challenges along Bangladesh border:
- Illegal Cattle smuggling: Due to rough terrain it is difficult to check illegal cattle smuggling across the border. Illegal cattle smuggling from India to Bangladesh has huge monetary value which has become a profession of border villages.
- Illegal migration: Porous and unfenced, river channels etc. made easy entry in India. Illegal migration from Bangladesh created in past ethnic clashes in Assam. Illegal migration changed the demography of the region and local citizens became minority in their own land. This created a sense of insecurity and created one of the biggest internal security challenges.
- Channel of transporting fake notes, drugs, arms, human trafficking: Porous border of Bangladesh has been used as another channel for shipping in and shipping out all illegal activities.
Cross border crimes and internal security challenges along Myanmar border:
- Cross border movement of insurgents: Insurgency in the North-east part of India has been a serious issue for internal security of India. Insurgents attack security forces and take shelter in the jungles of Myanmar.
- Myanmar border is near to the golden triangle: Northeast region of India is vulnerable for illegal opium transportation and drug abuse among young generations. Heroin and amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) produced in Myanmar.
- Illegal trade practices by insurgent groups: Insurgent groups like NSCN(K), NSCN(IM), United liberation front of Manipur etc. use open borders to earn money from trading in drugs, arms and also these insurgent groups get support from enemy countries.
- Free movement regime: Free movement regime allows tribals from both sides to travel 16 Kms inside the territory of both nations without Visa, it has become free entry for insurgents inside India.
Role played by various security forces in this regard:
- Assam Rifles: This force significantly contributed to opening the region to administration and commerce and over time they came to be known as the right arm of the civil and left arm of the military.
- Border Security Force: The BSF has an air wing, marine wing, an artillery regiment, and commando units. It currently stands as the world’s largest border guarding force. BSF has been termed as the First Line of Defence of Indian Territories. It is India’s primary border guarding organization on its border with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- Sashastra Seema Bal: The sole objective of this force is achieving ‘total security preparedness’ in the remote border areas for performing a ‘stay-behind’ role in the event of a war. SSB is now spread along the International Border across Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Thus, maintaining peace and tranquility at border regions and countering anti-India elements is very essential for paving the way for development of large-scale integration of all the border states, especially the north-east region of India. Multiple agencies work for this objective. But many times, inter-agency competition leads to suboptimal outcomes. There are instances of both gaps as well as overlapping in the role, jurisdiction and working of the agencies. India should have Integrated Law Enforcement Centres (ILECs) on all its borders on the lines of the United States’ Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
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