Land and unfenced border

SHILLONG, DEC 19: Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju said that the problem of unfenced border will remain if the state government does not take the initiative to acquire land since land is a state subject.

Rijiju told reporters on Friday, “Land is a state subject and government has to acquire it otherwise this problem will remain unsolved.”  He said he admits there are issues with the state government and he hoped with extra efforts they can finish the process of land acquisition so that the border fencing can completed.

Meghalaya shares a total 443 kilometers border with Bangladesh.

Informing that the remaining unfenced border is around 80 kilometers, Rijiju said once the state government acquires the land and gives to the home ministry the union government will ensure that within one year the border fencing is completed.

Due to unfenced border there has been a lot of infiltration by Bangladeshi into Indian territory besides stealing of boulders in day light and others.  Rijiju admitted that he also witnessed the illegal activities by the Bangladeshis during his visit to Dawki, located at the Indo-Bangla border.

Rijiju told reporters,“From the top where I was standing there is a huge population of Bangladeshi people coming towards that area picking up boulders and other things.” He informed that he has discussed the issue with officers of the BSF and certain steps will be taken. – By Our Reporter