Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a meeting with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and his deputy Prestone Tynsong in Delhi to discuss the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh and its effects on Northeastern Bharat. The discussion focused on the concerns of the people in the Northeast, particularly those in Meghalaya.
Shah assured CM Sangma of controlling illegal entrance of any individual from violence-stricken Bangladesh into Meghalaya through the Centre’s stringent measures. Shah asserted the border is being closely monitored to ensure no unauthorised movement occurs.
CM Conrad Sangma highlighted that Meghalaya is satisfied with the measures taken by the Centre and updated Shah on the night curfew imposed along the Bangladesh border. Sangma emphasised the need for robust border security, requesting additional manpower if required to prevent unauthorised crossings.
In response to the unrest in Bangladesh, the Meghalaya Government has temporarily suspended operations at the border markets along the 443-kilometre border with Bangladesh. The imposition of a night curfew in the border regions has been in effect for several days, and cross-border trade through the Integrated Border Check Post at Dawki has been halted.
The ethnic communities in Meghalaya, such as the Khasis and the Garos, are particularly concerned as many have relatives across the border. The disruption of people-to-people contact due to the current situation has raised significant concerns among these communities.
The meeting occurred against the backdrop of rising tensions following the vandalism of a statue of U Tirot Sing Syiem, a respected Khasi freedom fighter, at the Indian Cultural Centre in Dhaka. The incident provoked widespread outrage in Meghalaya, resulting in the temporary suspension of border trade activities.
Addressing the situation, CM Sangma appealed to Bangladesh’s interim government to restore peace. “While the situation in Bangladesh is the internal affairs of the people of Bangladesh, we urge the caretaker government to manage the situation to prevent further loss of life and property,” he stated.
