KSU asserts urgent need to reform BSF in Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 12, 2024

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Monday said recent incident of highhandedness against a government officer underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform within the Border Security Force (BSF) to ensure such flagrant abuses of power do not recur.

In a letter to the SDO (Civil), Amlarem, president of the KSU War Jaintia Circle Lop S Khonglah said, “This incident underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform within the BSF to ensure that such flagrant abuses of power do not recur.”

“This incident, unfortunately, is not an isolated one. The BSF from the 4th battalions have gained notoriety for their harassment on market goers and farmers. They frequently block vehicles, subjecting drivers and traders to exhaustive searches that result in significant losses of goods and merchandise. After conducting these searches, they often leave without offering assistance, leaving the affected individuals to bear the burden of arranging their goods, a process that can take hours and result in further financial losses,” he said.

Demanding action against the BSF personnel involved in harassing the government official, Khonglah said, “As a concerned Union body, we cannot tolerate or condone the terrorization and intimidation on our community by those entrusted with protecting them. Therefore, we urge you to take immediate and decisive action to address this matter, holding the perpetrators accountable, and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Our nation’s integrity and values are at stake, and it is imperative that swift and decisive action be taken to restore trust and confidence in our border security forces.”

 On February 11, a group of BSF personnel had allegedly threatened to shoot the AH & Veterinary officer of Muktapur Dr Seiboklang Buam by dragging him across the zero line under false accusations of smuggling. Buam was fishing when the incident took place.

“Not only did they subject him to physical torture, but they also brazenly threatened to shoot him and attempted to drag him across the zero line under false accusations of smuggling. It is only by sheer luck that the intervention of nearby fishermen, including women, prevented further escalation and potential loss of life. Furthermore, the victim has reported that the BSF personnel subjected him to even more degrading treatment by forcibly undressing him naked and coercing him to apologize by touching their feet,” The KSU had stated in the letter.

“Such humiliating and dehumanizing actions are utterly reprehensible and have no place in a civilized society governed by the rule of law. The victim of this barbaric incident is identified as a government employee in the Department of Veterinary.  The fact that a person of his stature could be subjected to such brutality raises serious concerns about the safety and security of all citizens, particularly those living along the border areas who may be poor and illiterate,” it added.