By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 25: The East Khasi Hills district administration has imposed a night curfew along the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border in the district following heightened security concerns arising from the current situation in the neighbouring country and continued vulnerability of certain stretches of the frontier.
In an order issued on Tuesday, District Magistrate Rosetta Mary Kurbah noted that the situation across the border has increased the likelihood of movement by unwanted elements, including members of proscribed militant groups, smugglers, and others involved in illegal activities.
The administration stated that several portions of the border in East Khasi Hills remain porous and prone to infiltration by illegal migrants and individuals linked to organised crime and armed insurgent groups, who often gather in large numbers during night hours to carry out their activities.
The order warned that, if left unchecked, such movements could lead to uncontrolled cross-border infiltration and disrupt peace and tranquillity in the district.
Invoking powers under Section 163 of BNSS, the District Magistrate declared a night curfew from 8 pm to 6 pm, effective immediately, within a one-kilometre radius from the Zero Line.
The curfew prohibits the movement of individuals attempting to cross the international boundary, any unauthorised procession or unlawful assembly of five or more persons carrying arms or objects that may be used as weapons, and all illegal activities including the smuggling of cattle, contraband goods, betel nut, betel leaves, dry fish, bidis, cigarettes, and tea leaves.
The order, issued ex-parte in view of the urgency, will remain in force for two months from the date of issue unless modified earlier.
The state government on Tuesday sought to reassure the public that it remains actively engaged in tackling infiltration and influx.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar maintained that the government has been consistently working to curb illegal immigration, noting that the administration is “always on the job” to prevent such activities.
He indicated that teams from departments such as Labour and Tourism are conducting checks in areas including Umling. He stressed that vigilance on the ground remains constant.
Asked about reports of raids in South Garo Hills after the recent blast in Delhi, Dhar remarked that matters of that nature fall under the purview of the Home Department.
On the demand for implementing the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act and the Inner Line Permit, he said Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has been holding periodic meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He added that both the Chief Minister and the Home Minister had met the Governor last month to discuss related issues, which indicates that the state is continuing to push the matter forward.
The remarks from Dhar came two days after the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) criticised the state government and the three autonomous district councils for their alleged inaction on the issue of infiltration even as Assam intensified its eviction drives, redirecting suspected infiltrators toward Meghalaya’s border areas.
NESO chairman Samuel B Jyrwa had stated that NESO and the Khasi Students’ Union have repeatedly cautioned the government about the escalating threat, but no concrete action was taken.
Jyrwa also stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued clear directives to all states in this regard but claimed that Meghalaya is yet to demonstrate significant action on the ground.
Even the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizations (CoMSO) has fired a warning shot across the state’s borders, declaring that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal and the fresh scrutiny in Assam are pushing waves of illegal migrants straight into Meghalaya.
CoMSO chairman Roy Kupar Synrem warned that the unchecked influx could endanger the security, public order, and legal rights of citizens in Meghalaya.
He emphasised that the state government is legally empowered—and obligated—under various laws and administrative provisions to regulate entry, conduct verification, and implement measures to prevent any threat to public order.
CoMSO demanded a series of immediate statutory interventions, including regulation or restriction of entry from affected states until verification and risk assessment are completed, mandatory registration and identity verification for all arrivals from West Bengal and Assam and deployment of police and district administration officials at all major entry points to enforce compliance.
