Borders sealed for R-Day in northern West Bengal

Siliguri, Jan 25 (IANS) Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place across northern West Bengal including sealing the international borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh ahead of Republic Day.

To prevent any untoward incident including militant attacks, security personnel are keeping vigil, while quick response teams have been put on standby.

At least 100 vehicles mounted with thermal imaging cameras have been put into service while dog squads and CCTV cameras have been put up at strategic locations.

Besides the international borders, Bengal's borders with neighbouring states including Assam and Sikkim too have been sealed.

With many northeast-based insurgent groups, including the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), giving a boycott call for Republic Day, police and security personnel have put in elaborate security arrangements.

"Elaborate security arrangements have been made across north Bengal to ensure that no untoward incident takes place," said Deputy Inspector General of Police (Jalpaiguri range) C.S. Lepcha.

Superintendent of Railway Police (Siliguri) S.K. Yadav said a high alert has been sounded across north Bengal and quick response teams have been put on standby to tackle any kind of contingencies.

BSF Inspector General (North Bengal Frontier) S.K. Sood said security across the border has been increased and thermal imagery mounted vehicles have been put into service to maintain a hawk eye vigil.