Movement along Indo-Bangla border in Jaintia Hills restricted

Shillong: The movement of people along the India-Bangladesh border in the Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya has been restricted to thwart attempts by terrorists and the Rohingya to sneak into India and to also prevent smuggling.
“Members of terrorist outfits and Rohingya people may also try to sneak into the Indian territory during night hours which may jeorpardise the state’s security,” DM (East Jaintia Hills) A Baranwal said, adding that recently a resident of Umkiang village was killed by Bangladesh nationals who had crossed over to the Indian border.
Pointing out that BSF is mandated to prevent trans-border crime, including smuggling and any other illegal activities on the India-Bangladesh border, the magistrate said the BSF had informed that the area was highly prone to smuggling of cattle, contraband goods and other items such as betel nuts, dry fish, biri, cigarettes, tea leaves and other items.
“Reports have been received from BSF that the smugglers and other anti-national elements gather in large numbers near the international border at night to smuggle the aforesaid goods from India to Bangladesh and vice versa. Such illegal, undesirable activities should be prevented in order to maintain peace and tranquility in the district,” the magistrate said.
The order under Section 144 of CrPC, which was issued on January 31, prohibits movement of people at the international border with the intention to cross the international boundary in Bangladesh or sneak into Indian territory. It prohibits movement of persons on foot or vehicles/carriage in public under 5km of the border belt from 6pm to 5am.