HT DIGITAL
SHILLONG, JULY 26: Despite the Border Security Force (BSF) time and again handing over infiltrators to the Border Guards of Bangladesh, unauthorized cross-border movements along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya go unchecked. In the period from January to July 25, 2025, the BSF seized 214 Bangladeshi nationals—127 seeking entry into India and 87 seeking to go back.
BSF Inspector General OP Upadhyay put the recurring issue down to serious lacunas along the border infrastructure, which have been mainly caused by land acquisition problems. “There is a pressing need for additional troops in Meghalaya, particularly in light of recent developments in Bangladesh,” he said. “But because we are not receiving land, this becomes a serious problem.
Related Posts:
Unfenced areas along the border—West Jaintia Hills especially—continue to be most susceptible to infiltration. “Due to non-availability of land, we cannot deploy our soldiers properly along the Meghalaya border,” Upadhyay stated. “There is definitely a need for additional troops because these areas are unfenced.”
He pinpointed West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, and South Garo Hills as being the most vulnerable areas. “The priority at the moment is West Jaintia Hills, where there are huge fencing gaps,” he added. “This remains one of the most open parts of the international border.”
Upadhyay acknowledged that the delay in fencing is primarily due to issues surrounding land acquisition. “It is true that some stretches of the border remain unfenced due to the non-availability of land,” he admitted. “We’re facing problems securing land clearances in East Khasi Hills, portions of West Jaintia Hills, and are also awaiting resolution of compensation issues in South West Garo Hills.”
Highlighting the urgency, he made it known that around 30 to 34 kilometres of West Jaintia Hills border still lie without fencing. “If we get the land required from the concerned Deputy Commissioner, we will be able to put up fencing at a much quicker rate,” he explained.
