A’chik forum writes to PM on Bangla infiltration

SHILLONG: The A’chik Indigenous Justice Initiative Forum (AIJIF) has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi identifying several issues related to border areas in the state.
In a statement released on Sunday, the AIJIF sought the Prime Minister’s intervention in checking infiltration through the India-Bangladesh border.
“India and Bangladesh are separated by a 4,098-km border passing through flat and hilly terrain, rivers and jungles in which Meghalaya shares a 443-km border with Bangladesh, part of which is porous, hilly and unfenced, and is prone to frequent infiltration,” the statement said. The AIJIF stated that many of the islands, clearly visible during the dry season, disappear when the monsoon arrives. This makes effective patrolling difficult in these areas and encourages smugglers of all kinds.
“The scenario in Meghalaya is not conducive for security agencies as well as the local people to perform their duties properly since the international border is not fenced properly leading to several pugnacious, illicit and contraband activities like cattle smuggling, cross-border terrorism, illegal immigration, human and drugs trafficking taking place. It resulted in several inconveniences to the common people and infuses a sense of insecurity amongst the commoners,” it said.
The pressure group urged the Centre to take necessary initiatives in plugging the loopholes and keeping the morale of the security agencies on a higher note.