Amid escalating security concerns triggered by the evolving situation in Bangladesh, the East Khasi Hills administration has clamped a night curfew along vulnerable stretches of the Indo-Bangladesh frontier, citing the high possibility of infiltration, smuggling and the movement of elements linked to outlawed groups.
District Magistrate R.M. Kurbah, in an order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), said certain stretches of the border in East Khasi Hills remain porous and susceptible to illegal movement, particularly during night hours, posing threats to public order. The order warns that such activities “may lead to uncontrollable cross border infiltration resulting in breach of peace and tranquility in the District.”
Invoking emergency powers, Kurbah imposed a night curfew from 8 PM to 6 AM within a one-kilometre radius from the Zero Line, prohibiting movement aimed at illegally crossing the boundary, formation of unauthorized assemblies, and the carrying of weapons or objects “which can be used as weapons including sticks/rods and stones.” The order also bars smuggling of cattle, contraband goods, betel nut, betel leaves, dry fish, bidis, cigarettes and tea. The ex-parte order comes into force immediately and will remain valid for two months from November 25.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya’s Law Minister Lahkmen Rymbui underscored the need for heightened vigilance, calling Meghalaya “a paradise where everybody wants to come and settle and trade and do the different activities here in Meghalaya.” Stressing the responsibility of citizens and traditional institutions, he said, “So it is our duty as the state, our duty as a citizen, our duty as a local Durbar to see that if any suspicious or illegal immigrant, we should report to the authority.”
Referring to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, the Minister noted reports—though unverified—about “a reverse migration in the area of West Bengal where doubtful people from West Bengal are going back to Bangladesh.” He stressed that SIR is essential “to see that the illegal migrant or the people from outside the state, they should not take refuge in the state of Meghalaya.”
Highlighting the operational complexities, Rymbui said, “We have over 442 kilometre border with Bangladesh and many of the part is porus and we have also more than 800 kilometre inter state border with Assam. So, people from outside will try to come to us but that’s why the constant vigilance from the government, from all the law enforcing agencies of the state and then the village Durbar and the local authority, they should be very, very vigilant because its really a thing which we need to take care.”
Asked whether the state is doing enough to check suspected interstate or cross-border migration, he said, “The state is trying to do its best, If you say it’s enough, I cannot comment on that because we have seen that even a faraway state like US… so many illegal migrants are settled there.” He added that Meghalaya is making consistent efforts to ensure “no illegal immigrant can settle here,” pointing to multiple safeguards including the Autonomous District Councils, land transfer laws, the MRSSA and labour regulations. “So, one thing is that affective implementation and number two, is that the constant vigilant and cooperation with the civil society and the state machinery,” he said.
