Officially on the backburner thanks to the new government’s ‘look east’ policy

Fencing of the Myanmar border and BSF being posted there to guard it is now officially on the backburner thanks to the new government’s ‘look east’ policy. NSA Ajit Doval on Friday said the decision to post BSF to guard the border had been taken last year but was now being reviewed in light of the ‘look east’ policy.

The decision to post BSF on the border had been taken in view of increased drug smuggling and north-east insurgents taking refuge in Myanmar. The border is currently guarded by Assam Rifles.

Replying to a question on the issue at a BSF function, Doval said, “The government’s look east policy will have some security implications.

A decision was taken last year but it has not been implemented. The Joint Intelligence Committee is looking at the issue in today’s perspective.†Sources said the government believes fencing and posting of BSF would be a hindrance to people-to-people contact and trade which the government is promoting as part of its look east policy.