Ranchi, Nov. 30: The savage attacks in Mumbai were a rude awakening for the entire nation and Jharkhand is certainly not taking any chances.

The state police have intensified surveillance, particularly along the Jharkhand-Bengal border in Sahebganj. The district is separated from Bengal by the Ganga and rebels from Bangladesh can have easy access to the state, believe sleuths.

“Since the terrorists took the sea route to reach Mumbai, one cannot rule out the possibility of them using the Ganga to attack other Indian cities. Bangladesh happens to be an important hub of ISI activities,” a senior officer of the Intelligence Bureau said.

India shares a 4,095km border with Bangladesh. This includes 2,216km in Bengal, 856km in Tripura, 443km in Meghalaya, 318km in Mizoram and 262km in Assam. A large stretch of the border is unfenced.

In the wake of the attacks in Mumbai, senior police officers of Santhal Pargana held talks with their counterparts in Bengal and Border Security Force bosses, and decided to intensify patrolling in Sahebganj district.

Talking to The Telegraph, IG (provision), S.N. Pradhan, also the police spokesperson, confirmed the security beef-up in the district that is close to Bangladesh.

Necessary instructions have been given to police chiefs in Pakur and Sahebganj districts, he said.

They have been directed to maintain strict vigil. The superintendents of police will co-ordinate with their counterparts in Malda and Murshidabad districts of Bengal as well as senior BSF officers to stave off any attempt to breach the border, Pradhan added.

Both political parties and the local people have long been demanding an effective check on infiltration in Sahebganj and Pakur districts.

When Arjun Munda was the chief minister, he had constituted a two-member committee, comprising then divisional commissioner N.N. Pandey and IG Kumud Choudhary, to look into the matter.

Choudhary, who is now the additional director-general of the railway police, admitted that infiltration was a menace in the area.

“While I was in charge of the probe, there were several cases of infiltration. The matter was reported to the higher authorities,” she added.

Munda, currently the leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, said checking infiltration must be the government’s priority. “The terror in Mumbai must serve as an eye-opener,” he said.

While police officers are not ready to be off their guard, Speaker Alamgir Alam claimed there was no threat of infiltration in the area.

“I have never come across a single case of infiltration so far though it is difficult to rule out such a possibility after the Mumbai attacks,” Alam said.

Rajmahal Assembly constituency in Sahebganj is closest to the Bangladesh border. Local MLA Thomas Hansda echoed Alam. Both are Congress legislators.

“The border is more than 40km away and there is no need to be worried,” Hansda said.

Local residents are not that sure. Pakur is known for its stone quarries and attracts a large number of labourers from Bangladesh.

“Bangladeshis often cross the Ganga to enter the India territory to earn their livelihood. Some enter legally, but most take recourse to illegal means,” a villager said, hinting why they had reasons to fear.