Meghalaya has made significant progress in strengthening security along its international boundary with Bangladesh, with nearly 90 per cent of the border fencing work already completed, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said. The northeastern state shares a 443-km-long border with Bangladesh, of which around 400 km has already been fenced. According to the Chief Minister, only about 40 to 45 km of fencing work remains to be completed. Sangma said the pending stretches are no longer facing major construction-related hurdles. Instead, the remaining delays are largely linked to local issues, including concerns over land ownership, village access routes and objections raised by residents in some border areas.
The India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya passes through several districts, including East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, South Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills. The fencing project has been carried out across challenging terrain marked by steep hills, dense forests, deep valleys and remote settlements. Despite these geographical challenges, the state has steadily advanced the project with support from the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Officials say the fencing initiative is an important component of efforts to improve border management and strengthen security in the region. Border security agencies have repeatedly highlighted the importance of completing the remaining stretches of fencing. According to BSF records, unfenced portions of the border continue to be vulnerable to illegal cross-border activities, including infiltration, unauthorised migration, cattle smuggling and trafficking of narcotics and other contraband.
The BSF has intensified surveillance and operations along the international boundary in recent months. Official figures show that during the last three months, BSF personnel apprehended 116 Bangladeshi nationals attempting to cross the border illegally. The force also seized 622 cattle valued at more than Rs 6 crore and recovered various forms of contraband worth over Rs 1.3 crore.