Shillong, Aug 12: Amlarem MLA Lahkmen Rymbui on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the recent spike in attempted infiltrations across the international border from Bangladesh into Meghalaya, warning that the trend poses serious security challenges for the state and the country.
“In the last few weeks, there has been a rise in attempts to infiltrate. This is alarming because if this trend continues, it will be very difficult for us, for the people living in border areas, and for the state and the country as a whole. We don’t know what type of infiltrators they are or what their motives might be,” Rymbui said.
He, however, acknowledged the role of border residents in assisting security forces. “Thanks to the cooperation of the villagers, the BSF, and the police, we hope these attempts can be tackled. But with such a porous border, continuous vigilance is the need of the hour,” he added.
On the contentious issue of border fencing, Rymbui pointed out that while most parts of the state have completed the process, only a small stretch in his constituency has been fenced due to opposition from landowners. The dispute, he explained, centres on the government’s plan to fence beyond the zero line or 150 yards from the border, which would result in land and livelihood loss for locals.
“People are not against fencing if it is along the zero line. Though authorities have assured landowners they can still cultivate land lying beyond the fence but within Indian territory, it is easier said than done. Even with strict vigilance, infiltration attempts continue,” he said.
Calling for a flexible approach, Rymbui urged the Centre to address grievances at the earliest to ensure the timely completion of fencing.
Meanwhile, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) today said that there are groups that help Bangladeshis cross over illegally for money.
Regarding the recent incident in which Bangladeshis attacked and injured Balsrang A Marak in Rongdangai, Marconi Thongni, leader of the KSU South West Khasi Hills unit, said that the lack of security forces in vulnerable areas in the India Bangladesh border has led to the exploitation by these illegal immigrants.
He said that the influx of Bangladeshis into India through Meghalaya has increased in the past three years and they marry non-Khasi women at the border and get documents like EPIC.
Thongni said that this matter has already been discussed with the district administration of South West Khasi Hills even as he alleged that there are Indian collaborators with some criminals from Bangladesh to kidnap people as happened to one person whose family had to pay Rs 6 lakh to release him.
The KSU leader also alleged that there are Bangladeshis who come to mine coal in the area and according to him it is surprising that they get the opportunity when the activity has been banned and locals are not permitted.
He said that if this is the case, coal mining should be allowed.
When asked why the BSF does not arrest such intruders, he said that they come in large numbers and in the case of Borsora, the security force is too small and if one Bangladeshi is arrested, hundreds of people will come to look for him.
Thongni said that the illegal entry of Bangladeshis is not due to lack of fencing but due to poor vigilance even as he added that in Ranikor there is a lot of boulder smuggling by Bangladeshis.
He said the influx of Bangladeshis may not be due to political instability in that country but also due to the fact that the exploding population means they can no longer get employed in their own country.
