Attack by Bangladeshis

SHILLONG, MAR 25: Opposition leader Donkupar Roy on Wednesday said the  people residing in the Indo-Bangla border will have to ask local boys to take up ‘guns’ to protect the villages if the BSF fails to prevent illegal Bangladeshi from entering into the state’s territory.

Roy told the Meghalaya assembly on the concluding day of the budget session on Wednesday,  “If the BSF fails to do so, we would utilize our boys to take up guns as we did in the past.” Earlier he had moved a call attention on the alleged attacked and burning down of crops at Nongtrai village, in East Khasi hills district by Bangladeshi miscreants recently.

Stating that this was not first time when such incident took place, Roy alleged, “More than hundred of Bangladeshi fully armed tried to enter Nongtrai village with intention to attack the villagers.” He lamented that the BSF did not intensify patrolling even after the IG BSF  was informed. He also asked to expedite construction of fencing.

Earlier, the BSF while refuting to alleged attack by Bangladeshi had also accused the local villagers that they have set the fire themselves in that area to burn the wild growth for Jhum cultivation, which later spread uncontrollably.

Expressing surprise at the BSF’s accusation, Roy  said, “There is no jhum cultivation taking place in the area as people of the village are engaged in arecanut and citrus fruits cultivation.”  He questioned the allegation of the BSF.

Roy urged immediate intervention by the state government so as to ensure that all possible steps are taken to prevent the illegal entry of Bangladeshi into the village. He also sought compensation from the state government to the villagers whose crops have been destroyed..

In her reply, Meghalaya home minister Roshan Warjri informed that a case has been registered and an inquiry into the incident was immediately ordered.  She said, “The report of the inquiry is being awaited by the government and a follow up action will also be taken accordingly.”

Warjri also told the house that the BSF commandant was also intimated with a request to instruct his personnel in the field to keep a close watch on such alleged crimes committed by miscreants.  The IG of BSF was also informed about the incident.

Warjri, however, added that meetings of the District Magistrates and Deputy Commissioners of Bangladesh and Meghalaya are being held periodically and the recent meeting was held on January 11, 2015.  She said that the state government encourages such meetings as this will go a long way in dealing with such incidents.- By Our Reporter