The Meghalaya government has urged the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to engage with Bangladesh for permission to construct border fencing closer to the international boundary. The initiative aims to secure a 40 km unfenced stretch without leaving villages outside the fenced area, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said.

Under international norms, border fencing is usually built 150 yards inside a country’s territory. In Meghalaya’s case, following this standard could leave several villages in “no man’s land,” posing safety concerns, he added.