District Correspondent, Sylhet: The government of India has imposed a nighttime curfew in three districts of its Meghalaya state, which are adjacent to the Sylhet district. A copy of the order has been sent to the District Commissioner of Sylhet.
This was confirmed by the Sylhet District Administration and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Saturday. The curfew order was issued by the administration of East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, and West Jaintia Hills districts in Meghalaya state on Thursday.
Sylhet District Commissioner Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad stated, “The Jaintia Hills District Administration, which is near the Gowainghat border in Sylhet, has imposed a nighttime curfew. This is their internal matter, and the district magistrate has informed us through a copy of the order.”
Lieutenant Colonel Md. Nazmul Haque, Commander of the 48th Battalion of the BGB in Sylhet, said, “The administration of India’s Meghalaya state has imposed a nighttime curfew in the East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, and West Jaintia Hills districts. They have also sent a copy of this order to the Sylhet District Commissioner.”
He added, “This is their own matter, but we have increased surveillance along our borders. We are also conducting various activities to raise awareness among local people and have increased patrolling to prevent smuggling along the border at night.”
In the order signed by the District Magistrate of East Jaintia Hills, Shri Shivang Arsthira, it was stated, “The international border of East Jaintia Hills district is not yet fully fenced. Therefore, there is a risk of illegal crossings in this region, especially by terrorist groups, smugglers, and unwanted immigrants who may attempt to cross the border under the cover of darkness and engage in illegal activities. To address this situation, a nighttime curfew has been imposed from May 8 until further notice. The curfew will be enforced within a 500-meter radius from the international border’s zero line, from 8 PM to 6 AM daily.”
The order further mentioned, “Due to the incomplete fencing along the border, this area has become a vulnerable entry point for smugglers, illegal immigrants, and members of banned terrorist groups. As a result, this measure has been taken to maintain peace and order. The curfew order has come into effect immediately and will remain in place until further instructions are issued.”
Meanwhile, Indian media outlet Shillong Times has also published a report on this issue, stating that the Meghalaya government has imposed a nighttime curfew in East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and East Jaintia Hills districts. These border areas are not yet fully fenced, leading to concerns about the entry of smugglers, banned terrorist groups, and illegal immigrants. The risk of such illegal activities increasing during the night has prompted the government to take this decision.
