BSF's initiative wins border farmers' hearts

  • | Tuesday | 18th July, 2017

DAOKE (AMRITSAR): To ensure that farmers having their cultivable land beyond border fence don't face the heat of recent bitterness in India-Pakistan relations, the Border Security Force is its bit to facilitate farmers of border areas. "A few farmers have been found to indulge in cross border smuggling or passing information to Pak Rangers, there have been few instances where farmers in Ferozpur and Amritsar sector were found cultivating poppy in their fields situated beyond fence. "This is paddy sowing season and we were apprehensive that BSF might put some extra restrictions in crossing the border gates or advance the gate closing time given the recent border skirmishes with Pakistan but thankfully the force has shown generosity and is instead facilitating us when we need them" said Amrik Singh, a farmer who owns six acres of land beyond border fence, while talking to TOI on Monday.In past many farmers who have to cross the border gates to reach up to their fields had blamed BSF for putting restrictions on their movement and frisking of their implements etc. So we have to take all the measures since it is matter of national security" said a BSF inspector on duty at one of the border gate on conditions of anonymity.Agreeing to BSF's claims, a local farmer Sukhdev Singh said "No doubt there are few black sheep that have to be identified but majority of farmers like us are suffering for their fault" he said, adding that they felt secure in presence of BSF's 'kissan guards' who accompany them beyond border fence and provide them with security cover.General secretary, Border Areas Sangarash Committee Rattan Singh Randhawa said "Presence of Kissan Guards make farmers comfortable and add to their confidence while working in the field," he said, adding that there was always risk of being attacked by some elements from Pakistan side.

DAOKE (AMRITSAR): To ensure that farmers having their cultivable land beyond border fence don't face the heat of recent bitterness in India-Pakistan relations, the Border Security Force is its bit to facilitate farmers of border areas."This is paddy sowing season and we were apprehensive that BSF might put some extra restrictions in crossing the border gates or advance the gate closing time given the recent border skirmishes with Pakistan but thankfully the force has shown generosity and is instead facilitating us when we need them" said Amrik Singh, a farmer who owns six acres of land beyond border fence, while talking to TOI on Monday.In past many farmers who have to cross the border gates to reach up to their fields had blamed BSF for putting restrictions on their movement and frisking of their implements etc."A few farmers have been found to indulge in cross border smuggling or passing information to Pak Rangers, there have been few instances where farmers in Ferozpur and Amritsar sector were found cultivating poppy in their fields situated beyond fence. So we have to take all the measures since it is matter of national security" said a BSF inspector on duty at one of the border gate on conditions of anonymity.Agreeing to BSF's claims, a local farmer Sukhdev Singh said "No doubt there are few black sheep that have to be identified but majority of farmers like us are suffering for their fault" he said, adding that they felt secure in presence of BSF's 'kissan guards' who accompany them beyond border fence and provide them with security cover.General secretary, Border Areas Sangarash Committee Rattan Singh Randhawa said "Presence of Kissan Guards make farmers comfortable and add to their confidence while working in the field," he said, adding that there was always risk of being attacked by some elements from Pakistan side.

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