Border Security Management

- Thakur Mohan Shrestha (Additional Inspector General of the Armed Police Force)

The major constituents of a state are primarily land, its people and the law. A nation’s security system is manifest in its border security management. Modern technology has simplified and eased human life. On one hand, technology has helped in linking one corner of the world with another, while on the other hand, the same technology has helped broaden the network of organised crime and terrorism. Against this backdrop, the Armed Police Force (APF) has been carrying out its responsibilities by mobilising the limited resources available at its disposal to the maximum effectiveness possible. The APF has been dedicated to the protection of the motherland. Under the Border Security Department, there are 21 Border Security Offices, 48 Border Out Posts (BOP), 25 temporary BOPs, 10 Customs Security Patrols, two temporary Border Security Bases and one Mobile Flying Squad. These units are involved in keeping a watch on the border areas, maintenance of the border pillars, control of trans-border crime, coordination with the local administration and other security agencies and controlling smuggling. The possible trans-border crimes, smuggling of small weapons, human trafficking, illegal drug transaction, illegal export-import, illegal trespassing and network of organised criminals are a threat to human safety and security. Security threats and challenges are subjects that need to be modified along with the times. Today, there is a need for adopting the principles of collective security and development of security agendas. The major threats to security are primarily in the areas of food, water, energy and transaction of weapons. In developing countries like ours, major challenges do not arise from major threats but from lack of awareness, security technology and minimal mobilisation of resources and unavailability of a favourable working condition. Quality service is expensive, and in order to provide such services, dedication and sacrifice are a must. It is an established fact that a long-term vision and continuous efforts make anything possible. Execution of programmes should be people-oriented, far sighted, friendly and effective, and programmes should be designed to maintain these important entities. All can benefit by remoulding the traditional concept of a ‘yam between two boulders’ into ‘an independent nation between two opportunities’ and accordingly formulating diplomatic and foreign policies. It is important that the nation formulates desirable security policies and strengthens such service execution. For a result-oriented security service, components like recruitment and selection, training, allocation of responsibilities, laws, leadership, work and the environment play vital roles. There is a strong realisation of the need for service specialisation, decentralisation, quality professional training, responsibility allocation and clear legal provisions to enhance the effectiveness of the paramilitary structure of the Armed Police Force that is more than a decade old. If the force can be mobilised professionally with clear policies, managed properly by giving them modern equipment in border control, good security service and relationship can be established between the participatory countries. The concept of a capable, resourceful and accountable security service should be used in practice to provide quality border security service that has high significance in an internal security system. This would result in the actualisation of peace, security and sustainable development set by the nation.