Meghalaya govt imposes curfew along international border with Bangladesh

Aug 05, 2024

Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], August 5 : The Meghalaya government imposed a curfew along the international border with Bangladesh starting tonight in the wake of the political crisis in the neighbouring country, authorities said on Monday.
The decision to impose the curfew was taken in an urgent meeting called by the Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister given the political crisis in Bangladesh.
Meghalaya Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong said, "Today evening, I called an urgent meeting on seeing the situation in Bangladesh. The State Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP) and Inspector General (IG) of Border Security Force (BSF) were present at the meeting".
"Today, we decided to impose a curfew all along the international border with Bangladesh from tonight. This curfew will be implemented only up to 200 meters inside the Indian territory from the zero point or from the international border pillar from 6 pm to 6 am every day until the situation is improved," Tynsong added.
In Delhi, political leaders cutting across the party lines expressed concern over the deteriorating political situation in Bangladesh.
"The situation in Bangladesh is very serious...," Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha told ANI. "We have to keep our strategic interests in mind and should have a keen eye on the political developments in our immediate neighbourhood as these kinds of situations could have some possible outcomes which can be undesirable for us..."
Describing the current situation in Bangladesh as "worrisome", Janata Dal (United) (JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi recalls the good relations India had been enjoying with the Awami League party since the time of its foundation.
Tyagi told ANI, "The current situation in Bangladesh is worrisome. India enjoys a good relationship with the Awami League party from the times of Sheikh Mujibur...I am worried about the condition of democracy of Bangladesh..."
Protestors in Bangladesh stormed the Prime Minister's official residence on Monday, shortly after Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation and left the country accompanied by her sister.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh newspaper Prothom Alo reported that Awami League's Dhaka district office was set on fire by the agitators. The agitators started the fire at around 4 pm on Monday.
Agitators also set on fire Awami League president Sheikh Hasina's office at 3/A Dhanmondi in Dhaka. Protesters were seen chanting slogans and celebrating the news of Sheikh Hasina's resignation.