By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 23: In a move reflecting growing concerns over cross-border crime and the volatile political situation in Bangladesh, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who oversees the Home (Police) department, announced that the Meghalaya government has issued urgent directives to the Border Security Force (BSF) and Meghalaya Police to intensify patrolling and bolster security along the state’s 443-km international border with the restive country.
Meghalaya’s hilly and largely porous border, stretching through lush green landscapes and remote villages in Khasi-Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills, has long been vulnerable to illegal crossings due to challenging terrain, riverine areas, and incomplete fencing.
Recent efforts by the BSF aim to fully seal the border by 2026 with advanced surveillance and fencing, but gaps remain a persistent challenge.
The state government’s heightened measures follow a brazen armed robbery on December 17 in Umniuh Tmar village, located in the Pynursla area of East Khasi Hills near the border.
Five villagers—one man and four women—were allegedly held at gunpoint by intruders from Bangladesh, who fled across the boundary after seizing gold earrings, mobile phones, and tablets. Local police described how the assailants blocked the road with branches and stones before emerging armed, highlighting the audacity of such incursions in thinly patrolled stretches.
Speaking to reporters, Tynsong expressed grave concern over the incident, stating that the government has instructed enhanced surveillance across vulnerable sections. A high-level meeting has been scheduled with the BSF Inspector General and the Director General of Police to review the Umniuh Tmar case and coordinate tighter measures.
The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised the need for unwavering vigilance, citing the unstable political situation in Bangladesh.
Ongoing unrest there, including recent violence sparked by the assassination of a prominent youth leader and protests ahead of national elections, has raised fears of spillover effects, including increased attempts at illegal infiltration or crime.
Tynsong also pointed to longstanding issues plaguing border communities: recurring crossings by Bangladeshi nationals to steal agricultural produce, harass residents, or engage in smuggling.
“These illegal activities occur whenever and wherever security presence is thin,” he noted, underscoring ongoing coordination between state police and BSF leadership to reinforce patrolling, curb infiltration, and protect villagers along the international boundary.
This directive comes amid a year of heightened border activity in Meghalaya, with BSF reporting significant seizures of contraband and apprehensions of infiltrators. Residents in areas like Umniuh Tmar, a small rural community known for its proximity to the frontier, have repeatedly voiced concerns over safety, making the government’s response a critical step toward restoring confidence in border security.
