SHILLONG: In a bid to curb the movement of terrorists, Rohingyas and thwart smuggling from Bangladesh, the district administration in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has enforced Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) along the international border.
The order prohibits the movement of individuals along the India-Bangladesh border with restrictions on pedestrian and vehicular movement within 5 km of the border belt from 6 pm to 5 am.
A Baranwal, the district magistrate of East Jaintia Hills, highlighted the necessity of such measures, citing recent incidents of violence and trespassing.
“Whereas, members of various terrorist outfits and Rohingyas may also try to sneak into Indian Territory during night hours, which may adversely affect the security of the state,” Baranwal, was quoted as saying.
A national agency reported him of pointing to a recent murder in Umkiang village committed by Bangladeshi nationals who had illegally crossed the Indian border.
On January 6, one Chiang Dkhar (50) died when a group of Bangladeshi miscreants attacked him in a betel nut plantation in Lumsoski, a few kilometres from Umkiang.
Highlighting the crucial role of the Border Security Force (BSF) in safeguarding the border, Baranwal highlighted that the area is highly susceptible to smuggling activities, including the trafficking of cattle and contraband goods such as betel nuts, dry fish, cigarettes, and tea
Reportedly, the BSF indicate a significant presence of smugglers and anti-national elements near the international border during nighttime, facilitating the illicit transportation of goods between the countries.
