Waheh Shnongs of six villages in East Jaiñtia Hills district has told the district administration that the presence of the Border Security Force (BSF) check posts in Sonapyrdi and Ratacherra has caused insecurity to the people.
The waheh shnongs of Umkiang, Dona Skur, Dona Umbluh, Lumphyllut, Kuliang and Pyrtakuna in a letter to the Deputy Commissioner has demanded the immediate removal of the check posts stating that civilians are constantly being harassed in the name of checking.
“The BSF are checking vehicle without any clearance and even made justification that they set up the check posts to prevent smuggling. This hold no ground as there is not a single smuggling case registered in our district,” the waheh shnongs claimed.
According to the waheh shnongs, the BSF personnel have also carried out home checking in Umkiang and took photographs of go downs of people. “There have also been scuffle reported between the civilians and the NSG personnel at different locations because of the check post set up by the BSF,” they added.
Stating that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has time and again sought the removal of the BSF from Sonapyrdi for causing damage to the bridge near the check point, the waheh shnong said the district administration had also issued orders but to no avail.
“The BSF has set up a permanent post instead of a mobile patrolling post and they have blocked the highway,” the waheh shnongs said urging the DC to remove the force and place them at the borders, to avoid civilian conflict.
They further said that failure to remove the BSF to the borders will compel them to hold civilian protests against the force.
