Intra-challenges continue to mar fence construction

SHILLONG, Aug 29: Intra-challenges with regard to terrain and climate as well as opposition vented by border residents continue to bedevil the fencing work along the international border to the extent that a substantial portion of the porous Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya is yet to be fenced.
According to Inspector General (IG) Border Security Force (BSF) Meghalaya Frontier, Inderjit Singh Rana, 80 per cent of border fencing has been completed in Meghalaya.
He, however, added that the border in the state passes through mountainous and difficult terrain and on top of that, the rains pose many challenges. The BSF IG said smugglers make attempts to take advantage of the gaps along the international border.
It may be mentioned that the border fencing in some parts of the state has been met with opposition from border residents and local groups, who want fences to be constructed along the zero line and 150 yards inside the territory of Meghalaya.
Recently a group of Bangladeshi smugglers attacked BSF jawans on duty along the border in Rongara, South Garo Hills.
Commenting on this, the BSF IG said that the force has laid down policy on how to deal with them, adding that an FIR has also been lodged in this regard.
As part of the commemoration of the 75th year of India’s independence, the BSF is conducting a series of calendar events which include band display at different locations, friendly volleyball and football matches with their counterparts in Bangladesh, the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB), cycle rally, photo exhibition and cultural programmes between July and December under HQ Eastern Command, BSF Kolkata.
In keeping with the calendar events, a motor cycle rally from Shillong to Delhi will be taken out by BSF riders from September 1 to 16 with the aim of raising awareness on national integration.
A total of 30 motorcyclists — 15 from Jaanbaaz Motor Cycle Team and 15 from Seema Bhawani Motor Cycle Team — will participate in the rally.
DGP of Meghalaya Dr LR Bishnoi will flag off the rally from Sector HQ BSF, Shillong, on September 1.
The rally will pass via Guwahati, Dhubri, Siliguri, Balurghat, Berhampore, Kolkata, Dhanbad, Aurangabad, Prayagraj, Kanpur and Agra, and finally culminate at Delhi.