The district administration of West Garo Hills in Meghalaya has taken a decisive step to tighten border security by imposing a strict night curfew along the international frontier with Bangladesh. The order, which came into immediate effect, is a direct response to heightened security assessments and the prevailing situation in the neighbouring country.
Curfew Details and Legal Framework
Issued by District Magistrate in-charge Mary Lisa K Marak, the directive mandates that the curfew will be enforced daily from 6 PM to 5 AM. It applies to a 200-meter radius from the Zero Line, which marks the international border within the West Garo Hills district. The legal authority for this move stems from Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS).
Officials cited specific risks that prompted this action. Security reviews had identified the border zones as particularly vulnerable under the cover of darkness. The primary concerns include the potential for illegal cross-border infiltration, movement of insurgent elements, and a spike in smuggling operations during night hours.
Specific Prohibitions Under the Order
The curfew order outlines clear restrictions on activities within the designated area. These prohibitions are designed to address the identified threats directly and include:
- Any movement across the international border for the purpose of illegal entry into India or Bangladesh.
- The unauthorised assembly of five or more people.
- Carrying sticks, rods, stones, or any other items that could be used as weapons.
- Smuggling of a listed range of goods. This list explicitly mentions cattle, contraband, betel nut, fish, dry fish, cigarettes, and other banned items.
Objective: Peace and Controlled Borders
In her statement, District Magistrate Marak emphasized that these measures are crucial for maintaining stability in the region. The core aim is to prevent uncontrolled cross-border infiltration and to ensure the continued peace and tranquillity of West Garo Hills district.
This proactive step reflects the administration's focus on pre-emptive action based on ground-level intelligence. By restricting movement during the most vulnerable hours, authorities aim to disrupt established patterns used for illegal activities, thereby strengthening the overall security apparatus along this sensitive stretch of the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya.
