Shillong, Dec 1: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday informed that for the last one and a half years there have been reports of increased fundamentalist activities in Bangladesh.
“We are naturally taking precautions and we are alert on this issue and we will take all preventive measures to counter the ill-effect of this phenomena,” the BSF’s Inspector General on the Meghalaya Frontier, OP Upadhyay, said during a interaction with the media on the occasion of the force’s Raising Day.
The Insp Gen said that the force is coordinating with other intelligence agencies. He pointed out that areas bordering Assam are sensitive areas (to fundamentalist activities). In Meghalaya, South West Garo Hills and East Jaintia Hills are vulnerable areas.
“In Khasi Hills we do not have such reports because of the geographical features and challenges and the awareness of the people,” Upadhyay said.
He also said that the progress of fencing along the India-Bangladesh border is encouraging. In the past one year the BSF was able to construct and operationalise around 20km of fencing, thereby reducing the gaps along the border with Bangladesh.
“There were some impediments in the form of court cases, objections from the BGB (Border Guards Bangladesh) and local civilian population,” Upadhyay said.
However, with the support of the state machinery, recently the BSF were able to get possession of 21km of land where border fencing will soon start. He hoped that by the end of 2026 the BSF will be able to completely fill the gaps in the India-Bangladesh border fence. At present the unfenced stretch of Meghalaya-Bangladesh border is 49km.
He also informed that the BSF has introduced advanced security surveillance equipment.
“Hopefully in the near future we will also be putting up very advanced surveillance equipment and I am hopeful that with the induction of such apparatus, we will be able to dominate, monitor and review our border security in a very effective manner,” Upadhyay said.
According to him, technology is a force multiplier and with its use the BSF will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its manpower.
Meanwhile, the BSF Insp Gen informed that from January to November 2025, contraband items worth Rs 24.43 crore, like yaba tablets, ganja, phensedyl, liquor, cattle, clothing and other miscellaneous items were seized by the BSF while being smuggled over the border.
During the same period a total of 449 persons, including Bangladeshi/Rohingya nationals as well as Indian nationals, were apprehended for attempting to illegally cross the international border.
