The field units of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been directed to explore the feasibility of using reptiles such as snakes and crocodiles in riverine stretches along the Bangladesh border to prevent infiltration and criminal activities, according to an internal BSF communication.
The “use of reptiles is in line with Home Minister Amit Shah’s directions”, the signal dated March 26 sent from the BSF headquarters to all field units along the Bangladesh border, said. “The feasibility of deploying reptiles (such as snakes or crocodiles) in vulnerable riverine gaps is to be explored and examined from an operational perspective,” it said. The Hindu has seen a copy of the communication.
There was no response from the BSF.
A BSF official said, “Till now the directions on reptiles have not been implemented. The directions have come to explore the possibility of it. There are several challenges... how does one procure the reptiles and what impact it may have on the local population who live along the riverine stretches?”
The communication followed a February 9 meeting at the BSF headquarters in Delhi.
