Shillong: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong ordered security forces to ramp up vigilance along the border with Bangladesh. The mandate came Tuesday following a security review involving state police and the Border Security Force. Infiltration is happening daily. Tynsong wants ground teams to lock down vulnerable spots and stop unauthorized entries.
Authorities identified East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills as hotspots for illegal movement due to gaps in fencing. Difficult terrain and poor infrastructure complicate constant surveillance in these mountainous areas. Security personnel often struggle to monitor gaps at night because the geography is far more punishing than the plains of West Bengal.
Tynsong confirmed that some locals are allegedly helping migrants cross the line. While he noted that most intercepted individuals are ordinary Bangladeshi citizens looking for work rather than people seeking to incite trouble, he warned the state must maintain control. "Meghalaya could not ignore unauthorised movement across the international border," Tynsong said.
The government is now activating Village Defence Parties to boost local intelligence gathering. Traditional heads and village headmen will coordinate with these parties to flag suspicious activity. District officials hold the power to impose curfews in sensitive sectors after consulting with local leaders. Security agencies aim to drive infiltration numbers down to zero despite the logistical hurdles.
Updated at 30th September 2026 at 2:00pm
Tynsong specifically named the Rangbah Shnongs as the traditional leaders who must be consulted before any district administration triggers a curfew in border zones. While the original plan relied on general coordination, this establishes a formal, required sequence for local authorities to follow before shutting down sensitive sectors.
The government acknowledged that agents and intermediaries are likely active in the smuggling and trafficking networks. Tynsong stopped short of detailing the operational response to these handlers but confirmed that instructions are out to police and the BSF to specifically hunt down those facilitating these illegal movements.
Updated at 30th September 2026 at 9:49pm
Tynsong set a strict protocol for district officials. They must now meet with Rangbah Shnongs to discuss the situation before pulling the trigger on any curfew orders in border zones. This adds a required step to the government's previous plan for general coordination.
Authorities are zeroing in on the traffickers behind the chaos. Tynsong confirmed agents and intermediaries are running smuggling and human trafficking rings along the line. While he kept operational details under wraps, he made one thing clear: police and the BSF have orders to hunt down the handlers facilitating these illegal entries.
Comments