Meghalaya Govt Pushes for Immediate Resolution of Land Issues to Fast-Track Indo-Bangladesh Border Fencing

Meghalaya Government has instructed deputy commissioners in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills districts to urgently resolve land disputes.

In a decisive move aimed at bolstering national security, the Meghalaya Government has instructed deputy commissioners in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills districts to urgently resolve land disputes that are stalling the completion of border fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on Tuesday with officials from the Border Security Force (BSF) and the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who oversees the Home (Police) department, evaluated the status of the remaining unfenced stretches and issued clear directives to expedite the process.

Tynsong revealed that around 33 to 34 kilometres of the border in West Jaintia Hills and approximately 7 to 8 kilometres in East Khasi Hills remain unfenced, primarily due to unresolved land ownership and compensation issues. He emphasised that completing the fencing is not only a matter of infrastructure but a critical requirement for effective border surveillance and the prevention of illegal infiltration.

“I had a review meeting with all the district collectors and instructed them to prioritise this issue. I’m confident that within a few weeks, we will be able to resolve the land disputes,” Tynsong told reporters after the meeting. He stressed that an unfenced border poses security risks, especially in light of the current regional and national context.

“The incomplete fencing restricts the BSF and other agencies from efficiently monitoring infiltration and illegal cross-border movements. We want to finish the remaining stretches at the earliest,” he added.

One of the key challenges, Tynsong noted, is the alignment of the fence. According to current norms, fencing should be constructed 150 yards from the international boundary. However, this requirement has sparked concerns among villagers whose homes fall outside this demarcation. The Meghalaya Government has therefore written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), seeking permission to allow deviations in specific stretches to ensure that villages and habitations remain within the fenced perimeter.

“The MHA has responded positively to our request, and discussions are ongoing. However, clearances are still awaited for two to three critical areas,” Tynsong stated.

Assuring the public of the government’s commitment to their safety, Tynsong confirmed that both central and state agencies are actively working on the ground to secure the border and that joint efforts are underway to prevent illegal entry into Indian territory.

“The situation is under control. Agencies are deployed along the entire international border, and every effort is being made to ensure the safety and security of our citizens,” he said. He also reiterated strict instructions that no individual should facilitate the illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals into India without proper documentation. “That is a standing order, and we will ensure it is enforced,” Tynsong asserted.

The Deputy Chief Minister’s firm stance underscores Meghalaya’s broader strategy to reinforce its border infrastructure and prevent potential security breaches. The resolution of these land disputes, if achieved swiftly, would not only facilitate the physical completion of the border fencing but also serve as a major milestone in strengthening India’s frontier management in the Northeast.

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