MHA directs Meghalaya to provide security to NBCC workers

Shillong, Mar 30 (UNI) The Union Home Ministry has directed the Meghalaya government to provide foolproof security to the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) workers following the 'quit notice' issued by the Coordination Committee on International Border (CCIB).

Last week, the influential CCIB served a 72-hour 'quit notice' to the NBCC workers engaged in Indo-Bangla border-fencing alleging that the NBCC had violated the government's notification which directed them to suspend fencing work in all disputed areas between Nongjri in East Khasi Hills and Jaliakhola in Jaintia Hills. The notice ended on March 28.

''We have apprised the Home Ministry of the problems arising out of the 'quit notice' served to the NBCC officials,'' Additional General Manager, NBCC, R L Mehra told UNI over phone from Delhi today.

Yesterday, the NBCC officials called on Union Home Secretary in-charge Border Management U N Panjiar and reviewed the over all situation in Meghalaya's Khasi-Jaintia Hills border with Bangladesh arising out of the 'quit notice', Mr Mehra said.

''Now, the Home Ministry is contacting the Meghalaya government to provide security to the workers,'' he said.

Earlier, BSF Inspector General, in-charge of Asom-Meghalaya frontier, P K Mishra said the force had decided to provide security to the NBCC workers.

''We will launch a surprise agitation as the government decided to provide security to NBCC workers in the state,'' CCIB spokesman G H Kharshanlor said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Donkupar Roy told reporters that a meeting between the government and the CCIB had been fixed on April 12 to discuss the matters relating to border fencing.

The government's invitation to the CCIB came after the latter decided to launch a wildcat agitation in the state demanding stoppage of the border fencing in those disputed areas.

UNI