Border fencing resumes but land hurdle remains

SHILLONG: The fencing of the Indo-Bangladesh border in some areas of the state has finally started after a long lull.
Sources in the BSF said construction of border fence in parts of Jaintia Hills and South Garo Hills has started though the pace of work is slow.
The sources said the process of land acquisition is on in many areas but that too is sluggish as there are objections.
Over 100 km in Meghalaya is yet to be fenced and the delay is owing to slow land acquisition.
“In addition, levelling of the land and removal of jungles in the areas take some time,” the sources added.
Out of 443 km, 319 km has been fenced while the remaining portions are still pending due to opposition from the Coordination Committee on International Border.
The Centre’s decision to construct fence 150 yards inside the zero line is being opposed by land owners and pressure groups in the state who are demanding that the fence should come up on the zero line to prevent loss of arable land.