SHILLONG: The Khasi Students’ Union has alleged that the Border Security Force has failed to act against Bangladeshis who smuggle stones from areas bordering Pynursla in East Khasi Hills while being active against cattle smugglers on the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya.
Innocent Khongstia, the president of KSU South Central East circle, Pynursla alleged that Bangladeshis numbering over 20-30 sail on a boat and smuggle stones from Nongsohphan, Raid Liting under Pynursla Police Station on a regular basis.
“Their (BSF) attention is focused on cattle smuggling,” he told reporters on Monday after submitting a memorandum to the East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner, PS Dkhar.
The smugglers take the stones from Khashmar river, which is between Raid Liting and Raid Nongshken, he said.
Khongstia said the smugglers would outnumber the land owners in the areas adjacent to the border which made the latter apprehensive in regard to taking them on.
Apart from stone smuggling, he said the Bangladeshis would also smuggle betel nuts and agricultural produce that affected the economy of the area.
He said though smuggling stopped in 2007, it however raised its head again in 2014.
The deputy commissioner assured KSU that he would convene a meeting with the BSF and SP to discuss the matter.
