Exclusive
With Bangladesh set to go to polls in its 13th general election on February 12, Meghalaya has ramped up security along the international border, activating a multi-layered surveillance and enforcement mechanism to prevent infiltration and cross-border crimes. The East Khasi Hills district police, in close coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), have intensified round-the-clock patrolling, surprise checks and joint operations across vulnerable stretches, particularly in border police station jurisdictions.
East Khasi Hills District Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said the security apparatus was put on alert as early as December following a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. Police sources said the heightened vigil is not limited to preventing illegal entry but also targets smuggling networks and trans-border criminal activities that often spike during politically sensitive periods in neighbouring countries. Syiem underlined that all existing police stations and tactical units have been instructed to prioritise border security and undertake aggressive field movement. Three police stations in East Khasi Hills district — Mawsynram, Shella and Pynursla — fall directly along the international border, making them critical nodes in the security grid.
Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, involving nearly 128 million voters across 300 constituencies, will be the first since the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024 after massive student-led protests forced her out of power. Security agencies in Meghalaya are closely monitoring developments, wary of any spillover impact along the porous international border.
