The East Jaintia Hills unit of the Khasi Students Union (KSU) has reiterated its demand for the removal of a Border Security Force (BSF) camp that cover three locations in the district stating that locals are facing harassment.
The union leaders met with Director General of Police (DGP) Iadashisha Nongrang today with the demand for the immediate removal of the “illegal” BSF camp from Sonapyrdi bridge, Dona Umbluh and Ratacherra.
The demand was also raised with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and the Deputy Commissioner in the past.
According to the KSU, the BSF camp was set up primarily to enhance security measures in the region and ensure the safety of the borders.
“While this objective is commendable, it is disheartening to observe that a section of the local population is experiencing various forms of harassment at the hands of the BSF personnel stationed at the camp,” the KSU said in its memorandum to the DGP.
The KSU also said that the deployment of the BSF along the National Highway is not in line with their designated role of securing the borders and that they should be stationed at the Bangladesh border to prevent illegal entry into Meghalaya.
It also alleged unauthorised occupation by the BSF forces on private lands which constitute a blatant violation of the property rights of the landowners.
According to the union, the BSF has set up camps on private land without the permission of the landowners or the village committee, which deprived the landowners of the use of their property.
The KSU also alleged harassment of villagers due to the BSF’s presence in Lejei, Lahaleii, Huroi, and Hingaria. They stated that villagers are subjected to unnecessary checks during the rainy season, this result in goods getting wet and spoiled, causing significant inconvenience and financial loss.
Stating that there have been instances when inebriated BSF personnel have assaulted villagers for minor reasons, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, the KSU referred to an incident in March where a group of armed BSF personnel in uniform allegedly attacked a student of Huroi village while he was on his way to school.
The KSU said the BSF presence was ineffective even in tragic incidents, such as the murder of a woman Donaskur and a man in Umkiang.
Furthermore, the union also asked the DGP to set up an additional anti infiltration check gate along the NH-6 particularly at Tongseng, to curb illegal immigrants and combat the rise of drugs in the state and a Traffic Branch in the district to enhance road safety measures and check congestion.
Meanwhile, the Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) has condemned the Kuliang incident and demanded the immediate arrest of the BSF personnel involved.
It reminded the government of its demand to shift the BSF camp and said that villagers are feeling vulnerable and living in fear.
The JNC also questioned the BSF for not involving the district police while conducting such operations.
