The Meghalaya Government has formally written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), urging intervention in resolving complex challenges over the fencing of a critical 40-kilometre stretch along the Indo–Bangladesh border. Deputy Chief Minister Incharge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong revealed that this unfenced section is home to several villages which, under existing international norms, risk being left outside the protective barrier — a situation that could render them vulnerable and effectively push them into a “no man’s land.” The state has asked New Delhi to engage Dhaka in talks so that fencing can be constructed closer to the main border pillars, ensuring the safety and inclusion of these settlements.
“The portion which is yet to be fenced is maybe maximum about 40 kms, so in these portion quite a number of complications arises where if the fencing has to be done then you know well that the international norms says it should be 150 yards inside the country. So, it is so happened that there a number of villages within that 40 kms unfenced border where if the fencing has to be carried out then these villages will be outside the fencing, when it is outside the fencing means more or less it can be said that it falls under the no man’s land, if that is the case, the problem will be those villages will not longer be protected and even their life will be in danger,” Tynsong explained.
“In these circumstances what did in fact from the state government decide, we have taken it up with the Ministry of Home Affairs that try 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. Such problems occurred in quite a few places which ultimately total to about 40 kms stretch which is still unfenced till today,” he added.
The Deputy CM further said: “Right now even the BSF they declare it ‘operation alert’ throughout the international border and even from the state Government side, from the police side we have also adopted the same policy where we have a two-way system in dealing with this kind of illegal activities or illegal entrance to the country so our police are doing their job as well as BSF are doing their job. I am very sure with this close coordination between the state police and the BSF will be able to overcome all these challenges.”
