Shillong: The Meghalaya government has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to convince Bangladesh to grant permission to construct a border fence closer to the international boundary.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, this would secure a 40-kilometer unfenced stretch without leaving villages vulnerable.
Traditionally, border fences are built 150 yards inside a country’s territory. However, Tynsong explained that this would place several villages in “no man’s land” or outside the fencing, compromising their safety.
“We have taken up with the MHA, urging it to convince the government of Bangladesh, because of this reality, let us go close to the main pillar of the border so that we can avoid fencing outside the village,” he said.
Tynsong, who is also the Home minister, held a meeting with top Home department officials on Wednesday to review international border security after the recent infiltration attempt and the subsequent arrests of Bangladesh nationals. According to the DyCM, such an arrangement would protect villages without putting them in harm’s way.
He said there are several habitations within the 40-km unfenced border that will be left exposed if fencing is constructed strictly as per international norms.
The move for a new fencing arrangement follows a recent incident in Rongdangai village where six armed gang members, led by a Bangladeshi police constable, allegedly crossed into India, assaulted a local shopkeeper, and stole cash and valuables.
Tynsong has instructed deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to implement proactive measures to prevent infiltration along the entire India-Bangladesh border in the state.
Joint operations involving the Border Security Force (BSF), Meghalaya Police, and Village Defence Parties (VDPs) have been launched to secure exit routes and flush out any gang members who may still be hiding inside Indian territory.
The Deputy Chief Minister also confirmed that a report on the arrests has been submitted to the MHA.
“As per the police report, it is a case related to criminal activities and nothing beyond that. Their intention is very clear to rob,” he said.
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He added that one of the main accused, who allegedly hurled explosives during the incident, has escaped and crossed back into Bangladesh.
“It seems he has already crossed back to Bangladesh. However, our police and BSF are on the job to arrest and get him to face trial for the criminal activities here,” Tynsong said.
When asked about the Border Security Force’s (BSF) “operation alert” along the India-Bangladesh border, Tynsong stated that the state government has adopted a similar policy.
