2023 a success for BSF in Meghalaya

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 4: BSF Meghalaya Frontier oversees a challenging 444 km stretch of the International Border with Bangladesh, grappling with tough terrain, unfenced patches, elephant corridors and heavy rainfall. Despite these obstacles, the BSF has made overcoming challenges a habit and routine, ensuring the safety and tranquillity of the border.

In the year 2023, the BSF Meghalaya Frontier demonstrated exceptional vigilance and efficiency. The force successfully seized smuggled goods worth more than 49.20 Crores INR, including Cattle, Sugar, Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), narcotics and various miscellaneous items. Furthermore, 180 miscreants were apprehended, comprising 113 Indians, 67 Bangladeshis and 02 Rohingya who violated the sanctity of the International Border.

Beyond the border duties, the BSF Meghalaya actively engaged in ‘Civic Action Programmes’ to foster mutual trust and strengthen relations with the local communities. In 2023, troops under BSF Meghalaya organized 45 such programmes, including 24 medical camps, providing free medical checkups, medicines, and various essential items to the needy bordering people.

To showcase the spirit of cooperation and sportsmanship, the Meghalaya FTR HQ BSF hosted the BSF Inter Frontier Judo, Gymnastics, and Taekwondo Championship at NEHU, Shillong. In reverence to the martyrs of the motherland, the ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign was organized across the Indo-Bangladesh Border in collaboration with the civil administration of Meghalaya state. The BSF actively participated in community service, organizing blood donation camps, providing emergency medical assistance and rescue operations in various incidents.

BSF Meghalaya is committed to safeguarding the Indo-Bangladesh border and maintaining the sanctity and tranquillity of the international border.

BSF seizes 10000 kgs of sugar meant for smuggling

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 4: BSF seized more than 10,000 kgs of sugar on January 3 which was meant for smuggling to Bangladesh through different bordering districts of Meghalaya

Vigilant troops from the 172 Bn of BSF Meghalaya successfully intercepted a vehicle near the Sonapur bordering area. The intercepted vehicle was found to be loaded with a substantial quantity of sugar, intended for smuggling into Bangladesh from the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya.

The driver of the seized vehicle was apprehended, as he failed to provide valid documents for the consignment of sugar. Both the apprehended individual and the seized items were handed over to the police station Umkiang for further legal action.

In another operation, acting on specific info, BSF troops of 193 Bn identified three suspicious vehicles approaching the bordering area under East Khasi district. The intercepted vehicle was loaded with the consignments of Sugar with four occupants. Upon questioning, the occupants provided unsatisfactory responses and failed to produce valid documents pertaining to the consignment of Sugar. All apprehended individuals, along with the seized items, were handed over to the Police Station Danger for further legal action.

BSF personnel under investigation for shooting trucker

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 21: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong today informed that an investigation is on into the gunning down of a trucker by the BSF personnel at Mawshun village on May 5, this year.

Replying to a zero-hour notice moved by NPP legislator from Sohra Gavin Miguel Mylliem in the Assembly, Tynsong said that there are two FIRs being filed on the incident.

On May 5, 2023, at around 10.24 pm, an incident occurred in which (L) Running Nongkynrih of Jalynteng, driver of the truck (ML 05F 3885) was fired upon by a BSF personnel at Mawshun village near petrol pump, NH-40 (Shillong-Dawki Road, Pynursla.

Due to the firing incident, the driver succumbed to his injuries and died on the spot.

He said one FIR was filed by a relative of the deceased, Riverskhem Nongkynrih and another FIR was filed by the BSF against the deceased person at the Pynursla police station.

“The investigation of both the cases is ensuing, and the police officials are putting in sincere efforts to ascertain the facts and circumstances of both the cases,” Tynsong said.

He said that no one was arrested in connection with the instant case.

As per the report filed by Riverskhem, it was intimated that the complainant and his cousin’s brother, the deceased person, were proceeding from Umthli village to transport buffaloes to their owner’s shed and on reaching near Mawshun village, the deceased person took a right turn in order to unload the buffaloes. However, during that time a mini truck of BSF was also following them from behind and suddenly without any warning the BSF personnel rushed towards the complainant and the victim and started firing, as a result of which the victim collapsed.

In its counter FIR filed against the deceased driver (L) Running Nongkynrih, the BSF said that on the night of May 5, 2023, the mobile check post (MCP) party of ‘G’ Company, 4 Battalion Border Security Force deployed for duty at Pynursla-Dawki road near Wahkdait village, had cautioned the driver to stop for checking.

Instead of stopping, the driver tried to escape by hitting and running over the BSF personnel on duty.

The personnel on duty sensing danger, had fired 2 rounds in the air at an interval, but the driver did not stop and tried to hit the personnel on duty.

Seeing an imminent threat to his life the personnel again fired one round towards the tyre of the truck with the intention to stop the vehicle, but the driver turned his vehicle towards the left and collided with the divider.

Tynsong said that the gunning down of the victim had sparked the ire of the local populace and a law and order situation had arisen.

“In view of the tense situation in the area, security has been tightened and Meghalaya police is keeping a close watch on the situation,” he said while informing that as of now the situation is normal in the area.

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.

KSU wants BSF removed from Amlarem

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has sought the intervention of the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong for immediate removal of the BSF personnel from Amlarem village, which is far away from the international border with Bangladesh.

“We have requested the Deputy Chief Minister to ensure immediate removal of the BSF personnel, who are illegally present at Amlarem market,” KSU West Jaintia Hills District Unit president Laitphar Syngkrem told reporters after a meeting here today.

He alleged that the BSF has been harassing local people and seizing their goods and said, “We strongly condemned the action of the BSF by conducting illegal checking on local residents of Amlarem and adjoining areas.”

Stating BSF are supposed to be guarding the international border, Syngkrem however reminded that Amlarem is a village which is quite far away from the international border and that it is illegal for the BSF to conduct checking on local people.

The present of the BSF personnel at Amlarem has been for the past six months.

“Earlier, we had submitted a complaint before the deputy commissioner and SDO but no action has been taken in this regard. This has compelled us to take up the issue with the deputy chief minister for immediate action,” Syngkrem said.

When asked, the KSU WJHDU president said, “The deputy chief minister has directed the deputy commissioner to take necessary action on the matter.”

He however warned if the government fails to address the grievance of the people, the Union will have no other option but to take stern decision on the matter.

Further, Syngkrem alleged that local peole who are going for marketing in Dawki were made to obtain permission from the commandant of the BSF otherwise their goods will be seized and taken to the BSF camp.

“We also want to question the BSF for allowing illegal Bangladeshi to carry out illegal trade and businesses at Dawki market,” he said.

Meanwhile, the KSU WJHDU has also demanded the government to immediately repair the deplorable Jowai Bypass. Due to this, small vehicles can no longer the road and were force to enter Jowai town thereby causing huge traffic congestion.

Syngkrem informed that the deputy chief minister, who is also looking after PWD (Road), has assured to look into the matter at the earliest.