In a significant development, the Meghalaya Government has decided to impose an indefinite night curfew along the international border with Bangladesh. Deputy Chief Minister Incharge Home (Police), Prestone Tynsong, announced that the curfew will be in effect from 6 PM to 6 AM and will be implemented upto 200 meters inside Indian Territory.
Talking to mediapersons, Deputy Chief Minister incharge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong said, “As a proactive measure for the interest of the state as well as the country as a whole, we have decided to impose a curfew along the international border with Bangladesh from tonight. This curfew will be implemented only up to 200 meters inside the Indian Territory from the zero point or from the international pillar, from 6 PM to 6 AM, until the situation improves. The government will take further decisions based on the developments.”
Further the Deputy Chief Minister emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the curfew will start immediately tonight.
“I called an emergency meeting after observing the situation in Bangladesh, where the government has already collapsed. The curfew starts tonight, and I request the citizens of the state living in these areas to kindly cooperate with the government,” he said.
Stating that the BSF currently has 9 battalions guarding the Meghalaya sector of the border, Tynsong reassured that the Government of India is prepared to deploy additional paramilitary forces if needed, even as he maintained that there is no shortage of manpower in the border.
On Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong held an emergency meeting with DIG BSF (Operation), Director General of Police Meghalaya, Idashisha Nongrang, Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, and officials from the Home Police Department. Given the unrest in Bangladesh, this meeting is considered crucial.
After the meeting, Tynsong said that the Meghalaya Police is directed to assist whatever necessary to BSF personnel in case anything arises and also directed the DIG BSF to keep the state Government updated.
“We have already directed the Meghalaya Police and the DGP to assist the BSF personnel as needed. We have instructed the DIG BSF to keep the state government informed if they require any additional manpower or assistance.”
Addressing concerns about unfenced parts of the border, Tynsong stated that these areas are under consideration and the BSF is aware of the specifics.
“We have considered the unfenced portions of the border. The BSF is well aware of the details, and from the state government’s side, we have requested local leaders to work with government agencies and report any information to higher authorities immediately,” he added.