Navy wants customs’ post to check Bangladeshi ships

KOLKATA - Concerned over the unfettered entry of Bangladeshi vessels into Indian territory through a canal in West Bengal’s South 24 Pargans district, the Indian Navy Thursday said it has asked the customs officials to set up a check post in the area.

“Everyday, on an average eight Bangladeshi ships enter India through Behari Khal (canal) and go unchecked about 160 km to Diamond Harbour. We have taken up the matter with the customs authorities,” the naval officer-in-charge of West Bengal, Commodore B.A. Thomas, told reporters.

“There are possibilities of outsiders sneaking into Indian territory between Behari Khal and Diamond Harbour in the unchecked ships. There may be some unscrupulous elements among the outsiders. It is definitely a threat to our security,” he said.

He said as per navy’s suggestion, the state government had been recruiting retired navy and Coast Guard personnel to address the problem of trained manpower for the state’s marine police wing.