East Khasi & West Jaintia Hills impose night curfew along India-B'desh border
2
Shillong: The district administrations of
West Jaintia Hills
and
East Khasi Hills
imposed a night curfew, along the
India-Bangladesh border
, on Thursday because of the current situation in the neighbouring country, which includes a likelihood of cross-border movement by 'unwanted elements' such as people, members of proscribed militant groups, smugglers, and other illegal activities.
"Whereas, the bordering area in West Jaintia Hills district being unfenced is highly prone to infiltration by illegal migrants, members of organised crime having linkage to anti-national elements, including militant groups such that the anti-national elements, could gather in large numbers near the International Border during the night hours to continue their nefarious activities," an official order said.Stating that such 'illegal, undesirable activities' should be prevented to maintain peace and tranquillity in the district, state and the country, West Jaintia Hills district magistrate Abhinav Kumar Singh announced the imposition of a curfew from 8pm to 6am extending up to 200 metres from the Zero Line (International Border).In a similar order, East Khasi Hills district magistrate RM Kurbah also said the bordering areas in the district being unfenced are highly prone to infiltration.The orders prohibit movement of people intending to cross the International Border with Bangladesh or sneak into the Indian territory, unauthorised processions or unlawful assembly of five or more persons, and carrying of arms or other instruments which can be used as weapons — including sticks and stones — in and around the India-Bangladesh border. The order also bans illegal, undesirable activities, smuggling of cattle or contraband goods, betel nut, betel leaves, dry fish, biri, cigarettes and tea leaves.In view of the urgency of the matter, the order was passed ex-parte and came into force with immediate effect and until further orders. In her order, Kurbah specified that the night curfew would be effective in 1km radius of the International Border for two months from Thursday.On the other hand, the state govt has directed the deputy commissioners of Khasi and Jaintia Hills regions to immediately resolve the land issue for speeding up the completion of
border fencing
along the India-Bangladesh border.The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by deputy CM in-charge home (police) Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday in presence of BSF Meghalaya inspector general and NBCC officials. Tynsong said due to the problem of land acquisition, about 33km-34km along the India-Bangladesh border in West Jaintia Hills is unfenced and around 7km-8km is unfenced in the East Khasi Hills district. "We have instructed that no person should illegally bring Bangladeshis into India until they have all necessary documents.
That is the standing order and we continue to make sure it should not happen," he said.
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