Crackdown at the border: Night restrictions imposed in Cachar to curb illegal activities

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 17, 2025

In a decisive move to curb cross-border crime and prevent potential threats to public order, the District Magistrate of Cachar, Mridul Yadav, has issued a sweeping directive imposing movement restrictions along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Acting under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the order takes immediate effect and is aimed at tackling the rising menace of smuggling and the suspected movement of extremist elements across the porous border.

The order prohibits the movement of individuals between sunset and sunrise within a one-kilometre stretch along the international border falling under Cachar district in Assam’s Barak Valley. Movement along the Surma River and its adjoining high banks has also been restricted during the same hours, in a bid to block potential transit routes often used for illegal activities.

Fishing or operating boats on the river has been strictly forbidden without prior written permission. Local residents seeking to engage in such activities must secure clearance from the Circle Officer of Katigorah, following verification by the leaseholder. Copies of the permission must also be submitted to both the District Magistrate and the Commandant of the 170th Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF), stationed at Dholcherra.

In addition to restrictions on personal movement, the transportation of essential goods such as sugar, rice, wheat, edible oil, kerosene, and salt is now banned between sunset and sunrise within a five-kilometre belt along the border. Any movement of such commodities will only be allowed with conditional permits issued by the Katigorah Circle Officer after coordination with supply officials. All such permits must be simultaneously reported to the offices of the District Magistrate and the BSF Commandant.

Officials clarified that these restrictions do not apply to Central and state government personnel engaged in official duties within the border areas.

The district administration has cited security concerns and the urgency of the situation as justification for the ex parte order. Intelligence inputs have reportedly pointed to the potential movement of extremist groups seeking to infiltrate through the Cachar border and create disturbances in the region. The border has also become a known conduit for illegal cattle transportation and the smuggling of essential commodities, further heightening the administration’s concerns.

This crackdown is intended to disrupt those unlawful activities and reassert control over the sensitive border zone. The order will remain in force for two months from the date of issuance unless withdrawn or modified earlier.

The directive was issued through an official press release from the Regional Office of Information and Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone, Silchar.