Shillong, Nov 25:The East Khasi Hills district administration has imposed a night curfew along the Indo-Bangladesh border area of the district for two months.
In the order effective from Tuesday, RM Kurbah, District Magistrate, said that the night curfew will be from 8 pm to 6 am within a radius of one kilometre from the zero line of the international border.
On August 21 this year, the DC had issued the same order.
The magistrate cited the current situation in Bangladesh for the restriction.
According to the order, there is every likelihood of cross-border movement of unwanted elements, members of proscribed militant groups, smugglers and any other illegal activities on the Indo-Bangladesh border;
She said the order was issued as certain portions of the border areas in East Khasi Hills are still porous and prone to infiltration by illegal migrants, members of organized crime having a link to anti-national elements, including armed insurgent groups, who may gather in large numbers near the international border during the night hours to continue their nefarious activities.
“Such illegal/undesirable activities, if not prevented, may lead to uncontrollable cross-border infiltration resulting in breach of peace and tranquility in the district”, the order said.
The magistrate restricted the movement of people at the international border with the intention of crossing the international boundary with Bangladesh or sneaking into the Indian territory.
“Unauthorized procession or unlawful assembly of five or more persons and carrying arms/other instruments which can be used as weapons, including sticks/rods and stones, in and around the Indo-Bangladesh border is also prohibited.
‘Illegal, undesirable activities including smuggling of cattle, contraband goods, betelnut, betel leaves, dry fish, bidis, cigarettes, chai patti, etc’ are also prohibited
Photo credit: BSF
