South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) visited border outposts today at Dawki and Pyrdiwah to assess the situation in relation to the turmoil engulfing neighbouring Bangladesh.
Shullai was accompanied by state party vice-president Gagan Jain and state BJP executive member Tobias Marak.
The BJP team also held meetings with senior officers in the Border Security Force (BSF).
The team was pleased to note the stringent security measures adopted by the BSF, wherein one jawan has been posted every 100 metres or less, making any kind of influx impossible. The border guards have been bolstered by reinforcements of the 21 Bihar Regiment of the Indian Army, vastly improving the security scenario.
The BJP team found the situation in the border areas to be peaceful, though there were reports of attacks on Border Guards Bangladesh posts on the other side, leading to the Bangladeshi troopers abandoning their posts. However, the BGB is back manning their posts today.
Shullai also interacted with the people of the two areas who expressed confidence in the BSF. The MLA also assured the local residents of all possible assistance should any need arise. Shullai is reportedly the only MLA to have visited these border areas since the trouble in Bangladesh broke out last month.
The BJP also informed that Shullai will meet the Meghalaya Governor to apprise him of the situation.
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills has, under Section 163 of the BNSS, imposed night curfew from 6pm to 6am upto 200 metres from the ‘Zero Line’ with Bangladesh, prohibiting movement of people at the international border with the intention to cross the boundary with Bangladesh or sneak into Indian territory, unauthorised procession or unlawful assembly of five or more persons and carrying arms/other instruments that can be used as weapons, including sticks/rods and stones in and around the border and illegal, undesirable activities, like smuggling of cattle, contraband goods, betelnut, betel leaves, dry fish, bidis, cigarettes, chai patti etc.
A curfew had already been promulgated on August 5, according to Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, in all border-facing districts. It is not known whether today’s notice was for a separate curfew or one that merely extends or complements the other.
The order shall come into force with immediate effect and remain in force till further orders.
