SHILLONG: Though the Supreme Court had in December last year directed the Centre to complete fencing work along the Indo-Bangla border within three months to check cross-border infiltration from Bangladesh, land acquisition hurdles in the State have prevented parts of the International border along Khasi and Jaintia Hills from being fenced.
The BSF PRO, Meghalaya Frontier said that the fencing work in the ‘controversial stretch’ cannot be taken up until the State Government acquires land for the purpose.
The BSF official, however, informed that fencing work is going on along the international border in Jowai and Ranikor.
The Centre had earlier expressed concern over people’s unwillingness to provide land to fence the border stating that free flow of arms and ammunition to the State from across the border cannot be restricted without erecting the fence.
The Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya stretches up to 443 kms out of which 350 kilometers have been fenced while around 80 kilometers remain unfenced in Khasi and Jaintia Hills due to land acquisition hurdles. Another stretch of 18-19 kms which passes through forest land has also remained unfenced pending necessary clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest.
The land owners and pressure groups are opposed to the Centre’s decision to construct the border fence 150 yards inside the Zero Line in Indian territory. They have demanded that the fence should come up right along the Zero Line to prevent loss of arable land.
Earlier, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju had said that the Centre would complete the fencing work along the Indo-Bangla international border within a year provided the State Government acquires and hands over the land for this much-delayed project. He added that all issues can be sorted out if the State Government makes some extra efforts.
