CCIB set deadline on border fencing

Shillong, Mar 1 (UNI) The Coordination Committee on International Border (CCIB) has set a 15-day deadline for the Meghalaya government demanding immediate suspension of the ongoing border fencing work in Khasi and Jaintia Hills along the Indo-Bangla border.

The protestors have threatened to launch agitation in the concerned districts if the matter was not addressed by March 15.

The CCIB comprised Hynniewtrep Nation Youth Federation(HNYF), Federation of Khasi Jaintia Garo People (FKJGP) and Federal Council of War Mihngi War Jaintia (FCWMWJ).

The Khasi Students' Union(KSU) have also joined the protestors.

The organisations have been demanding that fencing should be done only where there is no dispute.

CCIB spokesperson G H Kharshanlor today said they demanded the fencing to be on the zero line and not within the mandatory 150 yards of actual border.

''In all other areas, fencing should be kept in abeyance till a fresh demarcation has been done'', Mr Kharshanlor added.

The CCIB alleged that despite numerous memoranda and reminders to the Government, the response was always negative.

The CCIB expressed concern that they might lose cultivable land to Bangladesh if the fencing was done with the existing demarcation.

UNI PRS SP PG KP1649