Shillong: The Coordination Committee on International Borders met with the Border Security Force on Monday to halt plans for a new barrier. The group remains firm. They want boundary disputes cleared before anyone builds a fence along the India-Bangladesh line.
Kmen Myrchiang, the committee chairman, led the delegation to visit BSF Deputy Inspector General Naval Singh. Members of the Khasi Students’ Union joined them. They focused on a specific stretch of land near the Umngot River between border pillars 12/72 and 12/78.
Myrchiang claims a 1958 agreement mandates that the boundary split the river down the middle to grant both nations equal access. Current conditions suggest the entire waterway sits inside Bangladesh. This terrifies the locals. Myrchiang told reporters: "If the government claims that the boundary issue has already been settled, then the fencing should be erected from the zero line so that land belonging to local residents remains within Indian territory."
The committee demands the government consult with residents and landowners before moving forward. They have no problem with security but refuse to lose their property in the process. DIG Singh promised to push these concerns to higher authorities for review. The committee continues to pressure both state and central officials to protect the rights of those living in the shadow of the border.
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