After malaria, Covid - 19 has become the new enemy for Border Security Force (BSF) troopers guarding the international frontiers in northeast India.
According to official records, since last year, only two BSF men died in northeastern states due to malaria against a large number killed for the past many years until 2018.
The BSF troopers, who are deployed on the over 1, 880 - km - long border with Bangladesh in the region, spanning the states of Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya, are now bearing the brunt of Covid - 19 with over 1, 000 personnel infected so far.
A senior BSF official, however, said that a majority of the infected personnel have already resumed duties following their recovery.
As per the official, the BSF jawans and some officials are getting infected as they come to the region from various states in north and south India.
"The BSF men, after completion of their leave period or when they are transferred, have to move by train or by air for their destinations.
During transit or in their hazardous duties along the borders, the jawans come in contact with the dreaded virus, " the BSF official, who did not want to be identified, told IANS.
The highest number of BSF personnel (360) tested positive for Covid - 19 in Tripura followed by 350 in Mizoram and 300 in Meghalaya.
Many family members, including children, of the BSF personnel were also infected.
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga even made a plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure suspension of Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) movement into the state till August 31.
Zoramthanga, in his letter to Modi, expressed serious concern over rising Covid - 19 cases among the security personnel.
Hello EnglishHello English
