KSU demands removal of ‘illegal’ BSF camps

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 18: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has demanded the State government to immediately remove of the illegal BSF camps at Sonapyrdi, Ratacherra and Hingaria and to set up an additional anti-infiltration check gate along the National Highway-6 in East Jaintia Hills District.

In a memorandum to the deputy chief minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong today, KSU-EJHD Unit president Streamly N Suchen said, “(We) requests your immediate action to remove these illegal BSF camps and be relocated to the remote border areas of the country and also to take cognizance of their atrocities and be held accountable for their actions and we remain hopeful that you will take suitable measures to alleviate the distress faced by the people living in the vicinity of the BSF camp at Sonapyrdi, Ratacherra, and Hingaria.”

He said a series of serious complaints have been received about the dictatorial control and high-handedness of the BSF within the surrounding areas of NH-6 road.

Suchen said on March 2, 2023, a group of BSF personnel in full uniform and armed duty attacked a student of one Huroi village while he was on his way to school.

“This incident has left the villagers feeling vulnerable and living in fear. This act has caused the villagers and the union to strongly condemn the actions of these personnel and moreover, several attempts were made by the BSF to create fear and hostility among the local people,” he added.

He said that the reported instances of harassment range from undue interrogations, frequent vehicle searches, intimidation tactics, and disrespect towards the local community. These actions have resulted in a sense of fear and insecurity among the residents, negatively impacting their daily lives and overall well-being.

“Such behaviour is regrettable and not in line with the principles of fairness and respect that our administration seeks to uphold,” Suchen said while reiterating the demand to remove or relocate the BSF camps to ensure the safety to the people from the affected areas.

Further, the KSU-EJHDU also demands that the State government set up an additional ant-infiltration check gate along the NH-6, particularly at Tongseng, to check the flow of illegal immigration from neighbouring Bangladesh.

Suchen said the KSU Narpuh circle had recently managed to capture the free flow of these alleged suspected Bangladeshi immigrants from Kuliang forest crossing the border.

He said a series of these immigrants have been detected and foiled many times by the union and Dorbar Shnong respectively and has also been booked under certain provisions of the law.

“This constant flow of illegal immigrants has been a great concern whereby if not being detained one can stem other issues and result to crimes.”

Referring to the murder of a woman allegedly by Bangladeshi immigrants, Suchen said through the testimonies of local residents and corroborating evidence, that the existing check gates in the region are ill-equipped to handle the volume of immigrants passing through. Particularly, the lack of an infiltration check gate at Tongseng has paved the way for an unmanageable influx of illegal immigrants into the district. This situation has caused distress and concern among the local population, as well as jeopardizing the security and stability of the region.

“In order to safeguard the interests of the people of East Jaintia Hills and maintain the integrity of our borders, we humbly request your intervention in establishing a new infiltration check gate at Tongseng,” he said while adding this strategic location is poised to become a major entry point for illegal immigrants due to its proximity to areas known for high instances of infiltration.

Landslide at Rngain: One body retrieved

Body of one of the two persons, who died after a landslide struck at Rngain under Pynursla Civil Sub-Division, has been retrieved today.

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Sylvester Nongtnger informed that one body has been retrieved and efforts are on to retrieve the other one.

The landslide, which took place at Rngain along the Shillong-Dawki road on April 14 crushed and pushed the vehicle into a gorge.

The two deceased persons have been identified as Seiborlang Jaktung and K Kongjirem, who are both from Wahlyngkhat village.

Deputy Chief Minister in charge of PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong also immediately conducted a spot inspection to the place of occurrence. Tynsong while giving instructions to the NHIDCL officials was also heard saying “You don’t have brains or what”. He also called them “useless people”.

No info on NGOs disturbing Shillong – Dawki road project

Deputy Chief Minister in charge of PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong said that there is no specific information that NGOs are disturbing the progress of work with regard to the construction of the Shillong-Dawki road project.

“I am yet to know that. But if necessary, I am telling you at my level I can even call (for a meeting with the NGOs) if we have that kind of complaint from the concerned companies who are undertaking the construction works,” Tynsong told reporters.

His statement came in the wake of the recent order passed by the Meghalaya High Court, which directed the need to keep the “unwelcome interference” by the NGOs at bay to ensure the smooth completion of the Shillong-Dawki road project.

Tynsong however informed that the project is facing a lot of challenges and said, “Even with the land owners where we need to convince them, discuss with them, it takes a lot of time doing that as the land tenure system we have in the state of Meghalaya is totally different so we need to discuss with all stakeholders.”

“But of course, even the NGOs need to understand that this is the lifeline of the state where Dawki to Shillong is so important (for) the tourists and even the economic activities that are going on we need to complete it (project) at the earliest possible,” he added.

On March 28, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) complained before the Meghalaya High Court that both the delay on the part of the State to hand over land and the constant interference by NGOs with ulterior motives have scared the contractors away and new contractors are reluctant to bid for the two packages.

It had reported that work is proceeding on three of the packages but the contractor identified to undertake the first package, which includes the construction of the said flyover, has abandoned the site because of increased cost estimates.

It is almost a similar situation for package five as the contractor originally engaged has abandoned the work.

In view of this, the Court had directed the State to request its representatives to liaise with NHIDCL to indicate timelines for further construction, including the construction of the first package, which includes the flyover, and the final stretch into Dawki.

“The State should extend all cooperation to NHIDCL as, at the end of the day, the benefit goes to the State and primarily the people living here. There is no doubt that the State and the NHIDCL can sit across the table to chalk out a plan so that the disruption of traffic is as little as possible during the construction of the flyover and other stretches of the Shillong-Dawki road,” the Court had stated in its order.