- India is reportedly considering deploying venomous snakes and crocodiles along its riverine border with Bangladesh to deter illegal migration.
- The Border Security Force (BSF) is discussing this measure as an alternative to building physical barriers in marshy, unfenced sections of the 4,096km frontier.
- An internal BSF memo, dated 26 March, reportedly indicates that the use of reptiles aligns with directions from Home Minister Amit Shah, a key figure in India's crackdown on immigration.
- The proposal aims to secure approximately 175km of the border, primarily in states like West Bengal and Assam, where building physical fences is challenging due to terrain.
- While the government has also invested in drones and night-vision cameras, BSF officers have raised concerns about the reptile plan's risks to local communities and its practical implementation.
IN FULL
India considers releasing crocodiles and venomous snakes along eastern border with Bangladesh