Security forces along the India-Bangladesh frontier in Meghalaya are implementing robust countermeasures in response to a noticeable increase in fundamentalist activities observed over the last eighteen months. This assessment was provided by the Inspector General of the Border Security Force (BSF) for the Meghalaya Frontier, OP Upadhyay, during a media interaction marking the force's 61st Raising Day.
Enhanced Vigilance and Coordinated Response
Inspector General OP Upadhyay emphasized that the BSF is fully alert to the emerging challenge. "We are alert and taking all preventive measures to counter the ill-effects of this phenomenon, coordinating closely with intelligence and other security agencies," he stated on Monday. The force's strategy hinges on a multi-agency approach, ensuring seamless information sharing and operational synergy to neutralize potential threats before they can materialize.
Identifying Vulnerable Border Sectors
Upadhyay provided a detailed breakdown of the vulnerable areas along the state's international boundary. He identified that regions bordering Assam are currently more susceptible to such activities. Within Meghalaya, the borders in South West Garo Hills and East Jaintia Hills also remain areas of concern due to their vulnerability. However, he offered a positive note regarding the Khasi Hills sector, attributing the lack of similar reports there to a combination of difficult geographical terrain and heightened awareness among the local communities, who act as a force multiplier for the BSF.
Border Fortification and Major Seizures
On the infrastructure front, the BSF reported consistent progress in the critical task of border fencing. In the past year alone, approximately 20 kilometers of new fencing has been constructed and made operational. Of the total 443-kilometer border that Meghalaya shares with Bangladesh, only 49 kilometers now remain unfenced. The BSF has set an ambitious target to complete this remaining fencing by the next year, significantly bolstering physical barriers against infiltration and smuggling.
The inspector general also highlighted the deployment of advanced surveillance technology to monitor the border round-the-clock. These efforts have yielded substantial results in curbing cross-border crime. From January to November this year, contraband worth Rs 29.43 crore was seized. The seized items included a wide array of illegal goods such as marijuana, Yaba tablets, cough syrup, and cattle, underscoring the diverse nature of smuggling attempts across this porous frontier.
The BSF's comprehensive approach—combining physical fencing, technological surveillance, human intelligence, and community engagement—demonstrates a determined effort to secure the northeastern border amidst evolving security challenges.
