SHILLONG, JUL 29: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday said the Meghalaya government has urged the Centre to consider outright purchase of land falling within 150 yards of the Indo-Bangla border to address delays in fencing work.
Speaking to reporters, Tynsong cited challenges in implementing border fencing in several areas of the state due to habitations located close to the international boundary.
“See, on border fencing again we have challenges. What happens is there are portions of our Indian territory where villages are situated below 150 yards, sometimes 50-60 meters from the border pillar. We have such places in the Pynursla area,” Tynsong said.
He said the state government has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs on the issue and that he has also convened a meeting with the BSF and NBCC.”We are not at all against border fencing. We really need fencing,” he asserted.
“But the issue is, if we follow the international norms and guidelines of 150 yards, it means a village will be well outside the fencing. Then what will happen? If it is well outside the fencing it becomes more or less like a no man’s land. That is the concern.”
To address this, Tynsong said the matter has been flagged to the Government of India.”We have told them also that in case 150 yards cannot be compromised, why not acquire the entire area outright, purchase the land, so that the villagers or the farmers can shift from there to other places,” he said.
The Deputy CM said the proposal aims to ensure both border security and the safety and rehabilitation of people living in border villages.
By Our Reporter
