SHILLONG:
The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) stopped the border fencing work in the state’s international border with Bangladesh, on December 3.
The border fencing work was being carried out at Rongkum-Amlympiang area under West Jaintia Hills district.
The two pressure groups said border fencing should not be carried out before the international border is clearly demarcated even as they stated that fencing is to be carried out from the zero point and not 150 yards from the international border.
“If fencing is carried out from 150 yards from the international border, it will affect the farmlands of our people living in those areas,” the KSU said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the KSU has also condemned the local MLA Lahkmen Rymbui for allowing areas under his constituency to be auctioned off to Bangladesh.
“As a legislator of the area, he should have fought for the rights of the people of War Jaintia as promised by him in 2018, that he will not allow even one inch of land to slide into Bangladesh,” the KSU said.
The students’ body alleged that he is now doing the opposite of what he had promised, making the people residing along the international border live in fear.
Recently, Inspector General (IG) of BSF Meghalaya Frontier, Inderjit Singh Rana, also said that about 75 per cent of fencing work has been completed.
In November last year, BSF DIG (PSO), D Haokip had informed that efforts are on to complete border fencing very soon.
Haokip had also said the process of land acquisition is very lengthy since land belongs to individuals and communities and not the government, adding that the portion where fencing could not be taken up is mainly in East Khasi Hills and certain patches in West Jaintia Hills.
Meghalaya received Rs 104.64 crore for the construction of border fencing.
On the allegation made by protesters that their land will go to Bangladesh if fencing is allowed, the BSF DIG had, however, said, “By saying that land will be falling to Bangladesh is incorrect because the international boundaries are also marked (and) already well-demarcated. So how can it go to other country?”
On the demand to construct the fencing on zero line, he had said, “There is an international norm that any construction has to be carried out beyond 150 yards from the international border. This is applicable not only to the BSF, not only to India but also applicable to neighbouring countries like Bangladesh. We have to follow that international norm.”
“However, on humanitarian ground in patches where villages are right on the border or near the border, we first take permission or concurrence from the government of Bangladesh through the BGB. Then, single row fencing is constructed right on the border according to the situation on the ground,” he added.