SHILLONG: Amid rising concerns over cross-border infiltration and the imposition of a night curfew along the East Khasi Hills border, Meghalaya’s Law Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has called for heightened vigilance from citizens and traditional institutions, describing the state as a “paradise” that attracts people to settle and trade.
The Minister’s remarks come as District Magistrate R.M. Kurbah, implemented a two-month-long night curfew from 8 PM to 6 AM under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The order, which covers a one-kilometre radius from the Zero Line, seeks to curb illegal movement across the porous border stretches.
Night Curfew Targets Illegal Crossings and Smuggling
The District Magistrate’s ex-parte order explicitly prohibits movement intended to cross the border, the unlawful assembly of five or more persons, and the transport of goods commonly associated with smuggling, including: Cattle, Contraband goods, Betel nut and betel leaves, Dry fish, Bidis, cigarettes, and tea.
The order warns that unaddressed nocturnal activities “may lead to uncontrollable cross border infiltration resulting in breach of peace and tranquility in the District.”
Speaking on the challenges, Rymbui underscored that checking illegal entry is a collective duty, stating: “It is our duty as the state, our duty as a citizen, our duty as a local Durbar to see that if any suspicious or illegal immigrant, we should report to the authority.”
He highlighted the vast operational complexities facing the state:
”We have over 442 kilometre border with Bangladesh and many of the part is porous and we have also more than 800 kilometre inter state border with Assam.”
The Minister acknowledged that external elements “will try to come to us,” stressing the need for “constant vigilance” from the government, law enforcing agencies, and local village authorities.
Rymbui also pointed to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as a crucial mechanism to identify and prevent illegal settlement.
He mentioned unverified reports of a “reverse migration” of “doubtful people” from West Bengal back to Bangladesh, emphasizing that the SIR process is essential “to see that the illegal migrant or the people from outside the state, they should not take refuge in the state of Meghalaya.”
While the Minister affirmed the state is “trying to do its best” to check migration, he cited examples of countries like the US struggling with the same issue. He concluded by stressing that effective implementation of existing safeguards—such as the Autonomous District Councils, land transfer laws, the MRSSA, and labour regulations—along with “constant vigilant and cooperation with the civil society and the state machinery” are the keys to keeping the state safe.
