BSF should be moved to the international border not civilian area: Paul Lyngdoh 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 10, 2023

Cabinet minister and MDA government spokesman Paul Lyngdoh on Wednesday said the government has reiterated that the three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel involved in the killing of a civilian should be punished as per law of the land.

According to him, the BSF should be pushed to the international border as they are supposed to guard it against various crimes and illegal infiltration from Bangladesh into India.

Speaking to media persons, Lyngdoh said the government appreciate the action taken by the BSF to arrest the three personnel involved in the shot dead of 32-year-old Roning Nongkynrih from Jalynteng village, at Mawshun village on May 5.

“We also reiterated that the law of the land should prevail and that they (BSF  personnel) should be punished on the basis of their deeds as they have overstepped their action leading to the death of Roning,” he said.

When asked, Lyngdoh said that certainly some compensation has to be paid to the next of kin of the victim adding that “those modalities will be worked out by the state government in consultation with the BSF higher ups.”

Stating that there has been violation of the SOPs by the BSF, the government spokesperson said, “The other more important aspect of the case is that why were they (BSF) in a civilian area when they were supposed to be posted at the international border. So that particular aspect of the case as a long term measure has to be taken into account as their primary duty is to guard the international border against various crimes, illegal infiltration, those are the issues.”

“We have to push them to the international border. They are supposed to guard the international border with Bangladesh. It is a huge stretch and it needs to be guarded properly as there is a lot of smuggling that is hapenning in terms of infiltration that could potentially change the demographic balance of Meghalaya,” he added. 

He however said that the deputy chief minister in charge Home would be the best person to respond to the details of this matter. “I am sure he (deputy CM) is well ceased of the matter and these are matters of details for the home department to attend to but yes there has been violation of rights, violation of SOPs,” he added.

To another query, the cabinet minister said that there is a proposal on the need for the government to create more battalions of the state police in order to enhance policing against smuggling activities and other crimes.