Bangladesh Crisis: KSU Urges Meghalaya Government To Tighten Vigilance Along International Border
First Published: 11th August, 2024 17:54 IST
Khasi people living in Bangladesh have informed KSU that no untoward incidents have occurred so far. However, if any issues arise, then KSU will take necessary actions to protect them
Amidst the unrest in Bangladesh, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has urged the state government to remain vigilant to prevent any infiltration of Bangladeshis into Meghalaya.
Speaking to Northeast Live, KSU General Secretary Donald V. Thabah emphasized that Meghalaya shares a long international border with Bangladesh, making it essential to tighten security along the border.
“Meghalaya shares a 463-kilometer international border with Bangladesh. However, infiltration does not only occur from that side; it also happens through Assam. Bangladeshi nationals enter Assam illegally, and then proceed to enter Meghalaya. We face immigration issues from both the international and interstate borders,” Thabah said.
“Given the current situation in Bangladesh, we have already instructed our members, especially those in border areas, to be vigilant and keep a close watch,” he added.
Thabah also mentioned that if the Central government, on humanitarian grounds, decides to rehabilitate or grant asylum to Bangladeshi nationals fleeing the troubled nation, they should not be given refuge in the northeast, and definitely not in Meghalaya.
“The asylum granted to Bangladeshi nationals in various parts of the northeast in 1947 and 1971 created significant tensions between the indigenous people and the migrants. We do not want a repeat of that situation,” he added.
The KSU General Secretary further informed that the organization has contacted the Khasi people living on the other side of the border, and according to the villagers, everything is peaceful there at the moment.
“We have been informed by the Khasi people living in Bangladesh that no untoward incidents have occurred so far. However, if any issues arise, we will take necessary actions to protect the people,” Thabah said.
When asked if the organization would engage with the Chief Minister if the Khasi people are attacked in Bangladesh and seek refuge in Meghalaya, Thabah responded, “We can speak to the Chief Minister, both from the KSU level and the traditional institution level. In fact, a village located along the border has issued a statement that if the violence affects the Khasis and they need to cross the border and seek shelter in Meghalaya, they are willing to provide refuge to these Khasi refugees.”
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