The Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly stopped an Illegal construction of a border outpost at Dawki in Meghalaya’s West Jaiñtia Hills district by the Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB).
Meghalaya Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui informed on Thursday that he had spoken to the BSF after having informed about the incident and the BSF took swift action to stop the construction of the BGB outpost.
Rymbui had also met a delegation from Darang Elaka and headman of Dawki who aired their concerns over the encroachment by the BGB in the area.
“As per the agreement between the two countries, any activities along the Indo-Bangla border should be 150 yard away from the zero line. I have also told the BSF to be vigilant and ensure such incidents do not occur in other stretches of the border,” Rymbui said.
On the demand of the delegation to dismantle the structure, the minister said that the BSF has been asked to take necessary action.
Stating that the Meghalaya government cannot directly take up the issue with the Bangladesh government, the Home Minister said that this is an international issue, which has to be taken up through the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs.
“The the situation is within the control of the BSF as of now, but for issues considered as sensitive, the Centre’s intervention will be needed,” he said.
The villagers have sought the intervention of the Meghalaya government allegedly due to inaction on the part of the BSF and demanded dismantling of the illegal structure.
Earlier, headman of Dawki, Mankhraw Ryngksai while strongly opposing the illegal construction of the border outpost by the BGB also expressed surprise over the failure of the BSF to take action against this illegal encroachment by the BGB.
“We feel that the BSF should have strongly objected against such action on the part of the BGB,” he said.
The headman alleged that due to inaction of the BSF, the delegation has sought the intervention of the Home Minister.
Demanding that the structure constructed by the BGB in the area be dismantled, the delegation said, “Though the construction works have stopped, but we demand from the Meghalaya government to ensure that the structure is dismantled.”