Meghalaya imposes night curfew along 'unfenced border' with Bangladesh

The government of the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya has clamped night curfew in areas along the nearly 40-km "unfenced portion of the India-Bangladesh border" in the state, officials said.

Night curfew was imposed in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and East Khasi Hills districts from May 8. The state shares a 443-km-long border with Bangladesh.

While the prohibition in East Khasi Hills district will be in effect for two months, it will remain in force in the other two districts until further orders.

The decision was taken after inputs were received indicating a likelihood of cross-border movements, a senior home department official told PTI.

East Jaintia Hills District Magistrate Shivansh Awasthi said the areas in the district bordering Bangladesh are not completely fenced and are highly prone to infiltration by members of organised crime linked to anti-national elements, including armed insurgent groups, during night hours.

"Now, therefore, I do hereby impose night curfew from 8:00pm to 6:00am up to 500 metres from the Zero Line prohibiting the movement of people along the border, unauthorised procession or unlawful assembly of five or more persons, carrying of arms or other instruments in and around the border," the order read.

West Jaintia Hills District Magistrate Abhinav Kumar Singh prohibited the movement of people across the international boundary.

East Khasi Hills District Magistrate RM Kurbah said that because of the current situation in Bangladesh, there was every likelihood of cross-border movement of unwanted elements, members of insurgent groups, and smugglers.