Shillong, Dec 23: In response to a recent armed robbery of a border village, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is in charge of the Home Department, has announced that the state government has ordered the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Meghalaya Police to intensify patrolling and strengthen security along the 443km international border with Bangladesh.
The directive follows an incident on 17 December, when five villagers, including four women, were robbed at gunpoint by Bangladeshi criminals who forcibly seized gold earrings, mobile phones and tablets at Umniuh Tmar in East Khasi Hills.
“We express concern that such incidents have taken place. We have directed the BSF and police to intensify patrolling and beef up security along the international border with Bangladesh,” Tynsong told reporters, adding that a meeting has been convened with the Inspector General of the BSF and the Director General of Police (DGP) to discuss the Umniuh Tmar attack and to further intensify border surveillance.
“We have to stay alert and vigilant, especially in view of the prevailing situation in neighbouring Bangladesh,” Tynsong stated.
The Deputy CM also highlighted recurring issues with Bangladeshi nationals crossing the border in large numbers to steal agricultural produce and harass border residents.
“The Bangladeshi nationals are committing these illegal activities whenever BSF presence is not there,” he said.
