Megh gov concerned with NBCC for violating norms fencing I-B border

Dawki (Indo-Bangla border), Dec 23 (UNI)) The ruling Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has expressed concern over National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) for violating the prescribed guidelines for erecting barbed fence beyond 150 yards from the zero line in state's border with Bangladesh.

The state government's protest came in the wake of the joint on-the-spot verification of the fencing work yesterday with members of the Coordination Committee on International Border (CCIB).

''The NBCC has violated the prescribed norms of the Union government and most of our land will be exposed to Bangladesh,'' state Deputy Chief Minister Donkupar Roy told reporters here.

Dr Roy, who was leading the joint-delegation to inspect the fencing construction found that the NBCC has raised the fence at Jaliakhola, Sanghat, S.P.Tilla and other adjoining villages bordering Bangladesh was two to three kms from the zero line.

As per the guidelines, the union government had instructed the NBCC to raise the fence 150 yards from the zero line to prevent infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals and cross-border terrorism.

''We will not allow the NBCC to raise the fence beyond 150 yards,'' the Deputy Chief Minister said, adding that the state government would soon discuss this serious issue.

He also informed that the government has instructed the NBCC to keep in abeyance the contruction work following its violation.

State Chief Minister J D Rymbai had recently expressed ''dissatisfaction'' in the Assembly over NBCC and GREF, violating the prescribed guidelines of the Union government for raising the fence beyond 150 yards inside the Indian territory at Rongasor, Bilkona, Taraibari, Nolbari and Bagimbari villages in Garo Hills areas bordering Bangladesh.

Mr Rymbai had said that the state government would take up the matter with New Delhi to solve the problem amicably.

Concerns have been raised here that people would forfeit their land once fencing is done 150 yards away from zero line. ''We will not allow the NBCC to go ahead with the fencing as our people will be losing our vast stretch of cultivable land,'' M Lamin told Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Donkupar Roy.

''The present work carried out by the NBCC will hamper our villagers, acres and acres of our paddy fields, our betel-nuts and betel leaves orchards will be in Bangladesh territory,'' Mr Lamin stated.

As per the Indira-Mujib pact of 1972 both Bangladesh and India reached an agreement that neither of the countries can erect permanent defence installation within 150 yards of from the international border. India argues that the barbed-wired fence cannot be construed as a defence installation. But Dhaka does not buy New Delhi's argument.

Meghalaya shares 423-km long international boundary with Bangladesh.

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