The Meghalaya government has requested the Centre to acquire land within the 150-yard restricted zone along the Indo-Bangladesh border to facilitate the construction of seamless border fencing and enhance security in vulnerable areas.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is in charge of Home (Police), stated that a proposal has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), highlighting the challenges posed by the existing 150-yard restriction from the international border, which often hampers fencing work in several locations.
The current restriction leaves villages, farmland, and other private properties outside the proposed fence in many stretches of the border, exposing residents to security risks and creating practical difficulties in safeguarding the frontier. The state government believes that acquiring land within the restricted belt would enable the relocation of residents, allowing border fencing to be completed without leaving inhabited areas beyond the fence.
According to Tynsong, this measure would also strengthen surveillance and improve the overall management of the international border. He reiterated Meghalaya’s long-standing demand for permission to erect fencing closer to the zero line wherever conditions permit, citing the state’s unique geographical challenges.
The appeal comes amid concerns over cross-border infiltration, smuggling, and other illegal activities along the unfenced stretches of Meghalaya’s 443-km border with Bangladesh. Completing the border fencing is critical to enhancing national security and ensuring the safety and welfare of communities residing along the international border.
The state government has consistently raised this issue with the Centre, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive solution to address the security concerns and challenges faced by the state.
