By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 6: The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Tuesday said the ongoing turmoil in Bangladesh can lead to an unprecedented influx and asked the government to seal the borders.
“The turmoil in Bangladesh is a concern. I hope our state government is alert to the situation that could lead to an unprecedented influx from across the border. I urge the government to seal the border and prevent any untoward incident,” UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said.
The ongoing unrest in Bangladesh prompted the Meghalaya government and the Border Security Force (BSF) to step up security along the state’s 443-km-long international border.
Soon after reports emerged on Monday that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India after resigning, the Meghalaya government convened an emergent meeting. It was attended by top officials of the government and the BSF.
The state government decided to impose a night curfew along the international border up to 200 metres from the zero line.
According to government sources, no students from Meghalaya are stranded in Bangladesh. All of them were evacuated recently.
The Rangbah Shnongs of border areas have been requested to work with government agencies and provide timely information about any illegal entry from the Bangladesh side.
National People’s Party spokesperson and former Mawsynram MLA, HM Shangpliang expressed concern over the situation in Bangladesh and its potential impact on the border regions, particularly Mawsynram. The area shares a porous border with Bangladesh.
Shangpliang urged residents to be vigilant and monitor new entrants into the villages.
“My appeal to everyone residing along the border, particularly the Dorbar Shnongs, is to remain vigilant and keep tabs on any newcomer. There is a lot of panic about people chased out from Bangladesh trying to sneak into our border areas,” he said.
Shangpliang appreciated the state government’s decision to clamp a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew along the international border, hoping nothing untoward happens although the BSF and other security agencies are maintaining vigil.
He also said the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh has affected trade at the border haat in Balat. He hoped the situation in the adjoining country would be brought under control for normal trade to resume.
