JSU condemns attack on locals by Bangladeshi miscreants
SHILLONG: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) War Jaintia Circle has slammed the Border Security Force (BSF) and the police for their inability to curb illegal infiltration of Bangladeshis.
The JSU circle has condemned the assault of two civilians on the border near Lad-Darrang, Dawki at Jowai-Dawki Highway road in Jaintia Hills by Bangladeshi dacoits on Sunday.
In a statement issued here, president of the circle, Eddy Kery Pohtam, said the two victims-Tyngshain Khonglah and Remius Khonglah- were also relatives of the sports secretary of the JSU – War Jaintia Circle, Ericksson Khonglah.
Pohtam said that the local people have expressed their discontent with the police and BSF in handling the situation as they reached the spot very late and were reluctant in doing a search for the victims.
He claimed that such attacks were commonplace especially in the evening hours, which had made most people feel unsafe when travelling on the highway.
He said attacks by the Bangladeshi miscreants are increasing as they cross the border to reach this place only to loot and attack the people.
The particular area of the highway near Lad Darrang towards Dawki at the international border is vulnerable. The miscreants come through the areca nut farms from the border despite the presence of the BSF BOP just a few km away.
He said that the JSU had in April last year urged the BSF and police to ensure strict vigilance and curb the threats which the people experience from time to time.
“The JSU along with locals of the area, especially those hailing from Dawki, had from time to time expressed concern over Bangladeshi nationals’ presence without any documents and even engaging in trade in local markets as well as in the export and import business at the Dawki Land Customs without any hindrance from the local police and the BSF”, Pohtam claimed.
IG BSF’s claim refuted
The JSU also rejected the statement made by the Inspector General of BSF Meghalaya Frontier, Kuldeep Saini, who recently claimed that more Bangladeshis are going back to Bangladesh after the NRC exercise in Assam, since no evidence or official report is yet to be released by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Also, the JSU expressed resentment against the recent deployment of two BSF companies during peaceful march taken out by the public against the citizenship law. He said that the BSF companies should have instead been left to guard the border.
Pohtam said, “The passing of the CAA, 2019 will further increase those migrants coming towards our state and also make legitimate those migrants who are already illegally present via fake IDs issued from other states.”
In this connection, he said that the Inner Line Permit (ILP) should be notified in the state and called to reject the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Extending support to the NRC exercise, he said it will help in detecting illegal immigrants in the North East.
He also urged the state government to expedite the implementation and regulation process of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016.
Pohtam urged the people and the village authorities such as the Waheh Shnongs, Dollois, Seng Samla and VDP to be vigilant to ensure peace, safety and protection of the indigenous people.
Border fencing opposed
The JSU while opposing the fencing of international border, pointed out that instead of a barbed wire fence, which could be easily infiltrated, it would be better to check infiltration and regulated with the help of the Meghalaya Police personnel.
He added that strength of police personnel and the
infrastructure can be increased at the international borders and they can act as a second line of defense against illegal migrants.
The union opposed any fencing in the border areas of the Jaintia districts since a large chunk of agricultural and village lands belonging to the local indigenous Jaintia people will be lost.
Also, the agricultural and ecological balance of the plantations will be disrupted which would harm the agricultural produce of the farming lands.
The JSU demanded for a clear and proper re-demarcation of the boundary line with actual and correct permanent pillars since the current pillars were hurriedly and erroneously erected at wrong places which would render most landowners and farmers to lose their lands.