Union Home Ministry officials assess Indo-Bangla border

Shillong, July 30 (UNI) Union Home Secretary in-charge Border Management B S Lalli today assessed the progress of fencing along the Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya.

Mr Lalli, accomapnied by a high level central team also visited Baghmara, Rongra (Garo Hills sector) and Dawki (Jaintia Hills sector) where fencing work is going on, a BSF official said.

The Border Management Secretary also interacted with villagers at Dawki where there are protests against the ongoing Indo-Bangla fencing work.

At least, five organisations including the head of traditional institutions (Dorbar Shnong) opposed to erect the barbed fence from 150 yards away from the zero line.

These organisations urged the Centre and the state government to erect the fence from zero line to ensure that the Bangladesh government does not capture their land.

In this regard, the state government has directed the National Building Construction Company to keep in abeyance the erection of fence in Dawki sector.

''It is in the interest of both Meghalaya and Asom' that the Indo-Bangla border is fenced within a stipulated time frame,'' Border Security Force's (BSF) Inspector General of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland (AMM&N) frontier Jyoti Prakash Sinha told UNI here today.

''Fence would thwart Bangladeshi infiltration,'' he added.

When asked, Mr Sinha said it was not possible to erect the fence from zero line, as there would be opposition from Bangladesh.

''It's wrong to perceive that Indian land would go to Bangladesh once fencing is done 150 yards away from zero line,'' Mr Sinha pointed out.

Mr Sinha said he himself would interact with villagers at Dawki to allay fears of land alienation to Bangladesh due to the fencing.

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