Meghalaya seeks more forces along Bangla border

Shillong, Feb 18 (PTI) Concerned over the unabatedmovement of insurgents along the porous Indo-Bangla border,Meghalaya government has sought more forces along theinternational border and strengthening of theanti-infiltration check posts in the state.

The demands were raised by Meghalaya Home Minister H D RLyngdoh during his meeting with Union Home Minister PChidambaram at New Delhi yesterday, official sources todaysaid.

Lyngdoh is understood to have cited the recent intrusionof five top NDFB militants into Meghalaya from Bangladeshbefore they were caught by Meghalaya Police.

He underlined the need to deploy more forces as thepresent strength of BSF was not adequate to check thecross-border movement, the sources said.

The Meghalaya Home Minister also sought assistance fromthe Centre in strengthening the anti-infiltration posts in thestate, some of which have been virtually defunct due toshortage of manpower.

The state home minister also apprised the Centre of thesituation in the ethnic-violence hit Assam-Meghalaya borderareas.

Chidambaram is learnt to have expressed happiness overthe manner in which Meghalaya handled the riots.

The Meghalaya government informed the Centre thatefforts were on to rehabilitate the displaced families andthat the administration has begun distributing compensation tothe refugees.