SHILLONG/BAGHMARA, Jan 25: Ever since the political upheaval in Bangladesh occurred in August last year, Meghalaya, as indeed all bordering states, has been witnessing a continual infiltration bid by Bangladeshis.
Meghalaya has reported several cases of Bangladeshi nationals being apprehended during bid to cross into Indian side, with not less than 18 individuals nabbed this month alone.
In the most recent development, concerns have been raised about the illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into Indian territory near the border village of Gillagora in South West Khasi Hills.
In an undated video that has since gone viral, at least eight individuals, allegedly from Bangladesh, were captured on camera crossing into India near Gillagora. The footage, recorded by a concerned resident of the village, has sparked alarm among local communities and authorities.
In a letter addressed to Meghalaya’s Home Minister, the Garo Omniscience for Ethnic Renaissance and Awakening (GOERA), Nongalbibra unit, highlighted the seriousness of the issue, citing the viral video of illegal entry through Gillagora and other areas, as well as recent arrests of Bangladeshi migrants by state police.
The organisation criticised the Border Security Force (BSF) for its negligence in managing border security and called for an immediate increase in personnel deployment along the India-Bangladesh border, particularly in Gillagora. It has emphasised the need for stricter measures to deter illegal crossings, including the use of advanced surveillance equipment such as CCTVs and other monitoring systems.
It also demanded the prompt arrest and deportation of illegal immigrants upon detection and urged a thorough investigation into the role of BSF personnel who may have been negligent in their duties, stating that such lapses compromise national security.
The organisation has urged the state and central governments to act swiftly to safeguard the nation’s borders and prevent future infiltrations.
Amidst this unsettling development, there is also the report from Mumbai police that the alleged knifer of actor Saif Ali Khan is a Bangladeshi, who sneaked into India via Dawki! Nobody can say for sure that it is an isolated case.
Earlier, even Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had lamented that such incidents continue despite state government’s efforts to prevent cross-border infiltration from neighbouring Bangladesh. He was reacting to reports about Saif Ali Khan’s attacker entering India through Dawki.
The CM had admitted that infiltration from Bangladesh was a matter of concern for Meghalaya.
Of the 443 km international border that Meghalaya shares with Bangladesh, 375 km have been fenced and 60 km remains unfenced due to various challenges. “Approximately about 60 km of fencing is still pending and out of it about 3.5 km is in East Jaintia Hills, 35.9 km is in West Jaintia Hills, 7.19 km is in South Garo Hills, 14.15 km in East Khasi Hills, and 3.5 km in South West Khasi Hills,” the CM had said.
Although barbed wire fencing and BSF patrolling are in place, the heightened attempt to cross over to India reveals the porosity of border which is a causing some worry for this tribal predominant state.
