Shillong, July 29: The state government wanted the Centre to acquire land within 150 yards of the Indo-Bangladesh border to prevent alienation of land.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of home Prestone Tynsong said that this will accelerate fencing and protect border residents .
Tynsong referred to villages in areas like Pynursla situated just 50-60 meters from border pillars. Under existing norms, fencing must be set 150 yards inside Indian territory.
“If we strictly follow the 150-yard rule, entire villages will fall outside the fence. That effectively turns them into no man’s land,” Tynsong said.
“We are not against fencing. We need it. But we cannot leave our people exposed.”
To resolve the deadlock, the state has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs and held discussions with the BSF and NBCC, he said.
Tynsong said Meghalaya has suggested an alternative.
“If the 150 yards cannot be relaxed, then the government of India should outrightly purchase that stretch of land so that the villagers and farmers can be relocated safely.”
The proposal, seeks to balance national security needs with the livelihood and safety of communities living along the border.
