SHILLONG, April 20: Tura Lok Sabha member, Saleng A Sangma on Sunday sounded the alarm bells over the unabated influx from Bangladesh, and remarked that Meghalaya will turn into “Bangladesh” in no time if the influx from the neighbouring country into the state is not stopped.
Reminding that he has been raising the issue of influx along the international border in the Parliament every now and then, Sangma said he has written several letters to the Home Ministry and also to the BSF emphasizing the importance of protecting the international border with Bangladesh falling in the Meghalaya sector.
He also mentioned that he will soon convene a meeting with the deputy commissioners of the border districts and BSF officials on the steps being planned to strengthen patrolling to secure the border.
The Tura MP also mentioned that people residing along the international border live in constant fear of being robbed and looted by criminals from the other side of the international border.
He noted that Meghalaya’s 443-kilometre international border with Bangladesh has long been a hotbed for illegal activities, including the smuggling of cattle, drugs, coal, stone, and narcotics.
According to him, the local population will be swept away by Bangladeshis if the Centre does not do anything to protect the international border.
Sangma also said that there are large chunks of the border in Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and even Garo Hills region which are yet to be fenced.
He also maintained that the locals who stand to lose their cultivable land due to the border fencing must be suitably compensated by the government.
