Shillong, Sept 29: The Hynniewtrep A’chick National Movement (HANM) on Thursday met Home Minister Lakmen Rymbui to seek his intervention on the alleged continuous harassment of people residing at Muktapur village in West Jaintia Hills District by the Border Security Force (BSF).
President of the HANM, War Jaintia Circle, Shaniahlang Suchen alleged that the BSF personnel continuously harass the pnar people in the area especially farmers who need to tend their agriculture fields located near international Bangladesh.
The HANM leader further alleged that many daily wage labourers are being harassed on daily basis by the BSF personnel and from time to time its personnel are conducting unnecessary checking of vehicles ferrying essential commodities.
“This unruly behavior of the BSF personnel towards the public in Muktapur area has created fear among the people especially those who need to move out of their homes in search of jobs in and around the area of Muktapur and adjacent villages,” he said.
Meanwhile, HANM president Lamphrang Kharbani alleged that this is not the first time that people residing in border areas are being harassed by BSF, hence it is high time for the state government to take up this issue with higher authorities of BSF.
Kharbani also informed that in the meeting, the HANM had urged upon the Home Minister to discuss with the BSF to stop harassing the people of Muktapur and its adjacent villages as this will further create fear among the people.
“The people residing in border areas are grateful to the BSF who are meant to provide security to the people and also to prevent intrusion of illegal Bangladeshi to Meghalaya, but will no longer tolerate the harassment. Hence, we have asked the home minister to address this issue within two weeks failing which the HANM will be compelled to take the law into our hands,” cautioned Kharbani.
When asked for assurance from the Home Minister, Kharbani said prior to the meeting, the Home Minister had called the IG of BSF to seek clarification on the allegations and had directed the IG to address the issue with its personnel.
