KHLIEHRIAT: The East Jaintia Hills deputy commissioner, in its efforts to prevent spread or transmission of COVID-19 in the district, has promulgated an order prohibiting movement of people along the international border with the intention to cross over to Bangladesh or sneak into the Indian territory.
The order promulgated under Section 144 CrPC read with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases and COVID-19 Regulation, 2020, also prohibited illegal, undesirable activities, smuggling of cattle/ contraband goods, betel nuts, betel leaves, dry fish, bidi, cigarettes, etc. which may cause spread of COVID-19.
“Use of edged weapons, patrol bombs, crackers, lathi etc. against BSF or serious breach of peace besides annoyance/ injury to BSF personnel on duty or otherwise and movement of persons on foot or vehicle/ carriage in public under the border belt from 8pm to 6am is also prohibited,” it stated.
Reportedly, smugglers and other anti-national elements gather in large numbers near the international border during the night hours to smuggle goods from India to Bangladesh and vice versa, which hampers efforts of the district administration to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The administration through the order requested people to strictly maintain personal hygiene and social distance; to frequently wash their hands with soap and water and to dispose of waste in the identified dustbins.
In a statement issued here, the district administration informed that the 97 Battalion BSF has been deployed on the India-Bangladesh border (under East Jaintia Hills) and manning the 51.320 km international boundary from Kuliang border outpost to Ratacherra border outpost.
“The BSF is mandated to prevent trans-border crimes including smuggling and any other illegal activities in the border belt and is the agency to ensure that spread or transmission of COVID-19 from across the border is prevented,” the statement said.