Shillong, July 20: The Coordination Committee on International Borders (CCIB) has stated that it is not opposed to the construction of border fencing along the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border but insisted that the government must first resolve the boundary demarcation issues in consultation with landowners living in the border areas.
On Monday, a CCIB delegation led by its Chairman, Kmen Myrchiang, accompanied by members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Central Body and the KSU West Jaintia Hills Unit, met Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Border Security Force (BSF), Naval Singh, to discuss the matter in detail.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Myrchiang said the discussion primarily focused on the border pillars numbered 12/72 to 12/78 along the Umngot River.
He said that under the 1958 agreement signed between India and Bangladesh, the international boundary was to run through the middle of the Umngot River, allowing both countries equal access to its use. However, he alleged that the entire stretch of the Umngot River has now effectively fallen within Bangladesh’s territory.
Bah Myrchiang said the delegation highlighted the concerns before the BSF official, who assured them that he would take up the matter with the government for further discussion and appropriate action.
The CCIB reiterated that while it supports measures to strengthen border security, any fencing exercise should only be undertaken after the boundary disputes are properly addressed and after due consultation with the affected landowners in the War Jaiñtia region.
