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BDR forces villagers to dismantle footpath

Nitin Gogoi in Lymkhat, Meghalaya-Assam border

Villagers of Lymkhat area in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills are enraged over the sudden dismantling of a footpath constructed by them along the international border but well within Indian territory.

"On Friday, the local Border Security Force company commander hastily called the local village chief and asked him to destroy the concrete footpath that the villagers had constructed last month," said John F Kharshiing, spokesman of the association of five Khasi states of the area. "Although the BSF official was apologetic about the action, he said he had no choice in the matter since Bangladesh Rifles had taken strong objection to the footpath," Kharshiing added.

Lymkhat is just nine km away from Pyrdiwah, which was occupied by the BDR on April 15 and vacated on Thursday. Lymkhat is also one of the 40 border hats (markets) that dot the 200 km international boundary between the Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya and Bangladesh.

These markets, held every four days, still follow the traditional barter system in parts. Mostly perishable items like pineapple, areca nut, papaya, citrus fruits and vegetables, apart from broomsticks and betel leaves, are exchanged for rice and pulses coming in from Bangladesh.

The Khasis are dependent upon the market, Kharshiing says, because the nearest markets like Shillong or Jowai are at least four-five hours' drive away and it is unviable for the villagers to travel to these places.

The latest trouble on the border may therefore spell trouble for the villagers. Already, markets have not been held since Monday. The villagers of Lymkhat had already complained to the Meghalaya government about the BDR's objection to the footpath being constructed.

According to Kharshiing, Peter D Rynjah, general secretary of the federation of five Khasi state, sent a letter to everyone concerned detailing the incident, in which he stated:

'While our people were repairing the footpath on March 26 and 27, some BDR personal suddenly came and pointing their gun at us ordered us to immediately stop the work. We are totally shocked at this incident as it has caused insecurity in the village to the extent that the villagers are now wondering if they are in India or in Bangladesh?

'We strongly urge upon the central and state governments to immediately consider creating and deploying 6 numbers of the Meghalaya State Battalions (MLP) along the border along with the BSF to manage the border area as done in Assam where the state battalions have been deployed to solve many problems faced by the local people.'

BSF officials, however, say the footpath in a stretch was "occupied" by India during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war.

According to official survey records, Pyrdiwah, where the Indo-Bangla stand-off began, is referred to as Bangladeshi territory under the 'adverse possession' of India. Similarly, Boraibari in Mancachar, where the BSF jawans were killed, is labelled Indian territory under the 'adverse possession' of Bangladesh.

The official records show that 3,000 acres of Indian territory are under the 'adverse possession' of Bangladesh, while over 3,500 acres of the neighbour are with India.

Till 1971, Pyrdiwah was considered East Pakistan territory. A BSF outpost was created there only during the liberation war. Indian security forces had chosen the land for training the 'Mukti Bahini' fighting the Pakistani army.

But exchange of territory under 'adverse possession' between the two 'friendly' countries ran into hurdles due to a number of reasons, chief among them being the need for a constitutional amendment in India.

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