Minister question BSF’s failure to shoot at BD criminals

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 9, 2020

SHILLONG: Cabinet minister Hamletson Dohling on Thursday questioned the failure of the Border Security Force (BSF) to shoot at Bangladeshi criminals as he urged the state government to take steps to stop cross-border infiltration.

Expressing concern over the recent attacks on villagers residing along the international border with Bangladesh, Dohling said that he would soon seek the intervention of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma on the matter.

“I will take up this matter with the chief minister for directing the BSF authorities to stop illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals from the international border into the state,” he told reporters.

The minister also condemned Bangladeshi nationals for intruding into Indian Territory to loot and assault local villagers.

Wondering how the Bangladeshi nationals could easily cross over from the border, Dohling however said the BSF has to be answerable to this question as they have been deployed to man the international border round the clock.

“The BSF are being deployed to protect the border and the people residing there and prevent infiltration of foreigners especially those who comes with the intention to commit crimes at our border,” he said.

The minister however said he was surprised that even a BSF jawan was attacked and injured by the criminals from the other side well within the Indian Territory.

“The BSF jawan being armed should have defended himself during the incident. If Bangladeshis come to our territory with the intention to harm us, I feel the BSF personnel have the right to shoot (at them) otherwise what is the point for them to carry guns,” he said.

He said this is not the first incident as Bangladeshi criminals very often would crossed over to commit thefts in our border but now they have even dared to attack our people.

Also urging the people residing at the border to complaint against such incidents, Dohling said, “I urge the people not to hesitate to air their problems to the state government as we are here to help them instead of being silent sufferers or wait till situation is out of control.”

He however admitted that there is lack of border outposts despite the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region shares a long border with neighbouring Bangladesh.

Asked, Dohling said that he would also take up with the home minister for his intervention into the need to increase manpower of the state police at the border areas for ensure safety and security of the people and to prevent untoward incidents from recurring.