State BJP vice president Bernard N. Marak has urged the Meghalaya government to set up camps to rehabilitate Garo, Khasi and other tribals from Bangladesh affected by political unrest.
In a letter to Chief Minister ConradSangma today, Marak emphasised the need to provide temporary shelter and support to these tribal groups who want to seek shelter in the State while ensuring their deportation back to Bangladesh once the situation improves.
Meanwhile, the State government has temporarily suspended trade activities at the border haats along the international border with Bangladesh due to the volatile situation in that country.
According to officials, the Border Security Force (BSF) and State police have shared intelligence inputs suggesting a high likelihood of cross-border movements by Bangladesh nationals, outlawed militant groups, smugglers, and other unauthorised activities if border haats are allowed to open at this juncture.
Meghalaya has two border haats – one at Balat in East Khasi Hills t and another at Kalaichar in South West Garo Hills.
The border haats will be reopened once the situation in Bangladesh stabilises.
Already, the State government has imposed a curfew along the international border with Bangladesh from 6 pm to 6 am daily until further notice.
