SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday announced the large-scale reactivation of Village Defence Parties (VDPs) along the state’s international and interstate borders, in response to the evolving situation in neighbouring Bangladesh.
While immigration and border management remain under the jurisdiction of the Union government, Tynsong said the state administration is taking no chances. The reactivated VDPs will function as a vital community-based surveillance network, serving as the eyes and ears of local administrations in border and vulnerable areas.
As part of the initiative, the state government will roll out specialised training programmes to equip VDP members with skills to identify, monitor and report suspicious movements and activities. Although the volunteers will not be armed, they will be provided with logistical support, communication tools and operational guidance to assist authorities in preventing illegal border crossings.
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The Deputy Chief Minister said all district administrations have been placed on high alert, ensuring swift coordination and immediate response in the event of any security breach.
Reassuring the public, Tynsong said Meghalaya remains secure due to close coordination between the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Meghalaya Police.
“Right now, we are safe. We are secure because the BSF and the State Police are working jointly. We are fully alert, and these precautionary measures are taken irrespective of whether it is an election period or not,” Tynsong said.
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