Bangladesh crisis: Meghalaya villagers in constant fear; reinforce bamboo fence, stay vigil at night

Residents of Meghalaya village near Bangladesh border fear influx, reinforce bamboo fence, seek protection from Indian government.

From reinforcing a bamboo fence, separating them from Bangladeshis to staying up all night for vigil, residents of a Meghalaya village located metres from the International Border are on the edge fearing influx of people from the other side after unrest that overthrew the Sheikh Hasina government.

The 90-odd residents of Lyngkhong village in East Khasi Hills district had erected a rag-tag bamboo fence along the border during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent petty crimes from across the border.

Lyngkhong is one of several sectors in Meghalaya where border fence could not be constructed due to land demarcation issues and the presence of habitation within 150 yards of the International Border pillar or zero line.

A quick tour of the village revealed that most of the houses were located very close to the International Border, while the only football ground is situated on the zero line, with children playing under the watchful eyes of the BSF at all times.

Although Lyngkhong has not experienced any serious incident since the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, villagers remain in a state of constant fear.

"On August 5, we were anxious and could not sleep at night fearing our neighbours in Bangladesh might turn violent. Thankfully, the Border Security Force (BSF) increased its vigil, posting more personnel at its Lyngkhong outpost, in addition to the village defence party and the men who stayed up all night to ensure our safety," Deria Khongsdir, a 42-year-old mother of nine, told PTI while recounting her anxiety.

Deria and her younger sister live just a few metres from their Bangladeshi neighbours, with an IB pillar and the bamboo fence, erected by the villagers three years ago, serving as their only protection.