East Khasi Hills Imposes 2-Month Night Curfew Along Indo-Bangla Border; Four Bangladeshi Held

Shillong: Amid heightened vigilance along the Indo-Bangla border, the East Khasi Hills district administration has imposed a two-month night curfew in areas within 5 kilometres of the international boundary. The curfew, effective immediately and running from 8 pm to 6 am daily, comes in the wake of recent incidents—including the interception of four Bangladeshi nationals by BSF troops under the Meghalaya Frontier on May 6—raising concerns over illegal infiltration and cross-border activities.

In response to these developments, District Magistrate RM Kurbah issued an order enforcing the night curfew for two months, citing the urgency of the situation and potential threats posed by cross-border movements and illegal activities.

“In view of the urgency of the matter this order has been made ex-parte and it has come into force with immediate effect and remains in force for a period of two months from the date of issue of this order,” district magistrate RM Kurbah said in her order.

The order also prohibited the movement of people at the international border with the intention to cross the international boundary with Bangladesh or sneak into the Indian territory.

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It further prohibited unauthorized procession or unlawful assembly of five or more persons and carrying arms/other instruments which can be used as weapons including sticks/rods and stones in and around the Indo-Bangladesh border besides illegal, undesirable activities, smuggling of cattle, contraband goods, betelnut, betel leaves, dry fish, bidis, cigarettes, chai patti etc.

The order has been issued in view of the current situation in Bangladesh and that there is every likelihood of cross border movement of unwanted elements, members of proscribed militant groups, smugglers and any other illegal activities on the Indo-Bangladesh border.

The bordering areas in East Khasi Hills being unfenced are highly prone to infiltration by illegal migrants, members of organized crime having linkage to anti-national elements including armed insurgent groups who may gather in large numbers near the international border during the night hours to continue their nefarious activities.

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Such illegal/undesirable activities if not prevented may lead to uncontrollable cross border infiltration resulting in breach of peace and tranquillity in the district, state and country as a whole, the order stated.

Meanwhile, in a recent operation by BSF troops under Meghalaya Frontier, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted and apprehended four Bangladeshi nationals on May 6, while they were attempting to illegally cross the international border. They were handed over to the Mahendraganj Police Station in South West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, for further legal action, a BSF source said.

During the operation, alert troops of the 50th Battalion detected suspicious movement along the border and promptly acted, leading to the apprehension of four Bangladeshi nationals’ residents of Mymensingh, Gajipur and Nogaon of Bangladesh, the BSF also said.

“BSF remains vigilant and continues to maintain a high level of operational readiness along the Indo-Bangladesh border to ensure the safety and security of the nation”, it added.

(With inputs from the Newmai News Network)