By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 9: While the state government has prioritised fencing the unfenced stretch of the Indo-Bangladesh border in view of national security, opposition to the fencing in terms of yardage remains in some pockets.
Former Home Minister and Amlarem MLA, Lahkmen Rymbui, has underscored the importance of balancing national security concerns with the legitimate fears of border residents and called for a people-centric approach to resolving the issue.
While acknowledging the government’s prioritisation of border fencing, Rymbui pointed out that opposition still lingers in areas where fencing is proposed to be set up 150 yards from the international boundary.
“The ground situation does not change because most of the villages are located right on the border itself. The apprehension of the people is that if they fence at 150 yards, many of the roads from Dawki to Muktapur, including some villages, will be on the other side of the fencing. The people are not opposed to fencing, but their apprehension is against fencing from 150 yards; they want the fencing to be as much as possible near the zero line causing not much loss to their agricultural land,” the former home minister said.
It is pertinent to note that Meghalaya shares a 443-km international border with Bangladesh, parts of which remain unfenced. The incomplete coverage is attributed to challenging terrain and objections from landowners concerned about losing access to their lands. As per bilateral agreements between India and Bangladesh, no permanent structures can be constructed within 150 metres of the international boundary.
Stressing the need to engage directly with affected villagers and provide them with a clear picture of why the fencing is essential in the current security context, Rymbui said, “Yes under national security, the government can do what it deems fit for the security of the nation, but having said that, we have to explain to the people the ground reality of the changing situation and why fencing is the need of the hour. The government officers in-charge should approach the people in such a way that people will understand these changing scenarios where fencing of the border is crucial. How to solve that? Let the officers at the ground level do the needful.”
He also highlighted the unique context in Meghalaya, where land ownership is vested in the people, not the government. This makes community consent a crucial element of any infrastructure initiative.
Assessing the present situation along the border, Rymbui informed that despite the stretches yet to be fenced, things remain under control due to the vigilance of security forces.