By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 19: More than 400 people have been apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya over the past year while attempting to illegally infiltrate into the state.
According to data from BSF Meghalaya, between August 5, 2024, and July 15, 2025, as many as 421 individuals were arrested along the Indo-Bangla border. The arrests include 279 Bangladeshi nationals and 142 Indian nationals.
Out of Meghalaya’s 443-kilometre-long border with Bangladesh, about 59 kilometres — roughly 13% of the total length — still remains unfenced.
Sources said the BSF has intensified its operations along the border. However, in the case of unfenced areas, the BSF has repeatedly urged the Meghalaya government to hand over land required for constructing the border fence. So far, the state government has been unable to provide the necessary land.
While Meghalaya shares a 443-km boundary with Bangladesh, fencing efforts have faced opposition from local stakeholders. They argue that the fence should be erected along the zero line rather than 150 yards inside Indian Territory, as the latter option would lead to significant loss of private and community-owned land.
Recently, the BSF Inspector General also briefed Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on critical issues related to border security, cross-border movement, and the need for better coordination between the BSF and state agencies.