BSF keen on guarding Indo-Myanmar border: DG

New Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) Border Security Force (BSF) may start guarding the 1640-km long Indo-Myanmar border if its proposal in this regard gets a nod from the Home Ministry. "I was asked by the Home Ministry whether BSF would like to take it over or not. We said we would like to take it since it is very close to Bangladesh border. We were asked (to give) a proposal which has been sent," BSF Director General Raman Srivastava told reporters here today. He said that the proposal envisages setting up 46 new battalions, 12 new sectors, four new frontiers and an additional director general (headquarters) to efficiently keep a vigil along the frontier. The Indo-Myanmar border is at present being guarded by Assam Rifles. "The proposal is under consideration. It has been sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security. We have not yet got any decision as to (whether) Indo-Myanmar border will be with Assam Rifles or will be given to us. I am confident that BSF should get it," Srivastava said. He said there was no time limit for taking a decision on the issue. BSF guards India-Bangladesh and India-Pakistan borders besides being involved in anti-naxal operations in the country. Srivastava said that two more battalions (about 2,000 men) are likely to be deployed in Maoist-affected areas. "Our 10 battalions (10,000 personnel) are deployed in Naxal areas. Five are in Kanker district (Chhattisgarh) alone. Five others are in Koraput and Malkangiri districts in Orissa. There is a possibility of sending two more battalions to Naxal -infested areas," the DG said. He said that these 10 battalions were trained by the Army and received special training for anti-Naxal operations. "The two battalions will also be given the same training by the Army in case they go out on anti-Naxal operations. We have sent select jawans and they have got best equipment and other basic facilities. They are doing their job in the best way," Srivastava said.