TURA – Congress MP from Tura, Saleng A Sangma, ignited a political firestorm Thursday, leveling serious accusations against the Meghalaya state government for its perceived inaction against rampant illegal trade and smuggling along the state’s vulnerable border with Bangladesh.
The MP’s allegations paint a grim picture of a state grappling with a spiraling drug crisis and a corresponding surge in HIV infections, particularly impacting the state’s children.
The parliamentarian expressed profound alarm over the exponential growth of drug users within Meghalaya, estimating the number to have surpassed the 3 lakh mark. He directly linked the government’s alleged negligence in controlling the porous 443-kilometer international border to the alarming rise in HIV cases among the state’s youth. The MP stated that the unchecked flow of narcotics across the border is a primary driver of this devastating health crisis.
Further broadening his critique, MP Saleng highlighted the government’s apparent failure to address a multitude of illegal activities, including unauthorized stone quarrying, persistent cross-border smuggling, and the enduring issue of illegal coal mining and its subsequent transportation. He suggested that these illicit operations are thriving due to systemic enforcement failures and a perceived lack of political commitment to addressing the root causes.
In response to the escalating crisis, MP Sangma announced his intention to conduct on-site inspections of the vulnerable border regions. He also pledged to convene a joint meeting involving key stakeholders, including Customs officials, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, and district commissioners, to comprehensively assess the prevailing situation and formulate a coordinated response. The MP reiterated that despite official assurances of rigorous border control, illegal activities continue unabated, underscoring the urgent need for decisive action.
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