The thermal camera truck: De-Suups and police monitor round the clock

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

Phuentsholing residents are worried that drying Toorsa in winter could open access for the people across the border to enter Bhutan.

The main concern is that tobacco smuggling could rise, leaving the people vulnerable to Covid-19 virus.

Although there has not been any case of people trying to enter from Toorsa, five individuals were apprehended in early October for trying to smuggle in tobacco.

At the Phuentsholing-Jaigaon international border, a thermal camera is at the ready to scan the area round the clock. The camera also captures the movement of people at night.

Kuenzang Namgyel, a De-Suup, said the chances of people from across the border trying to enter Bhutan were high at night.

“As the river becomes smaller, people could easily cross and sneak in,” he said.

Tashi Dorji, another de-suup, said that De-Suup and police were monitoring border along the Toorsa. Chamkuna is the place from where miscreants could potentially enter Bhutan.

“There is second layer of team at Chamkuna,” Tashi Dorji said, adding that all the vulnerable places are under surveillance.

There are 808 de-suups in Phuentsholing. On an average, about 400 De-Suups are on duty every day.

Karma Tshering Dorji, a resident of the town, said that the river drying up should receive serious attention.

“We cannot play down the threats.”

The construction of an RCC wall is underway which divides Phuentsholing from Guabari village in Jaigaon.