Meghalaya Village Protests Border Fencing Plans
Residents Demand Border Fence at Zero Line
BSF personnel stand guard along the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills. (Photo: @AhmedFarisaa/X)
Pynursla (Meghalaya), Jun 6: In a recent demonstration, villagers from a border community in Meghalaya expressed their concerns regarding the ongoing border fencing, insisting that it should be constructed along the zero line to prevent their isolation from the rest of India.
Lyngkhong, situated nearly on the zero line in the East Khasi Hills district, is one of the few villages where homes are located just a few meters from a Bangladeshi settlement. International guidelines dictate that fencing should be positioned at least 150 yards away from the zero line.
According to local residents, the village has been separated from Bangladesh primarily by a bamboo fence that was put up by the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the situation has not significantly changed since then.
During the protest, villagers submitted a memorandum to the sub-divisional officer (SDO) of Pynursla, demanding an immediate cessation of the current fencing operations.
Village head Ramu stated, "We are not opposed to border fencing; however, we want it to be placed at the zero line to ensure our village remains within India and the fenced area." He expressed concerns that the proposed fencing alignment would leave Lyngkhong outside the security perimeter, jeopardizing access, safety, and the future of the community.
Local resident Rima Khongsdir echoed these worries, saying, "If the fence is constructed as planned, our village will be left outside. We are anxious about our future and urge the state government to address our concerns with the Government of India."
Officials confirmed that the border fence construction is part of efforts to secure the India-Bangladesh border. Meghalaya shares a 444 km border with Bangladesh, with less than 80 km remaining unfenced due to local challenges and difficult terrain.
A senior Border Security Force (BSF) official mentioned that an outpost has been established in Lyngkhong to ensure security and support for the residents.
"The BSF is present in the village, and all necessary security measures are being implemented to safeguard the residents," the official added.
A senior official from the Home Department indicated that India has raised the issue of constructing a single-row fence along the zero line in areas where human settlements may be impacted with Bangladesh.
"Discussions have begun regarding the proposal for a single-line fence at the zero line. However, the new government in Bangladesh has yet to make a decision on this matter," the official stated.