Shillong, Nov 30: The construction of fence along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya is 70 percent complete with the remaining 30 percent pending due to delay in land acquisition.

“In Meghalaya, about 70 per cent has been completed while around 30 percent is still pending to be completed because of certain issues (which include) due to land acquisition problem,” BSF DIG (PSO), D Haokip told journalists on Tuesday adding that efforts are on to complete it very soon.

He explained that the process of land acquisition is very lengthy since land belongs to individuals and communities and not the government adding that the portion where fencing could not be taken up is mainly in East Khasi Hills and certain patches in West Jaintia Hills.

Meghalaya received Rs 104.64 crore for the construction of border fencing.

On the allegation by protesters that their land will go to Bangladesh if fencing is allowed, the BSF DIG however said, “By saying that land will be falling to Bangladesh is not correct because the international boundaries are also marked (and) already well demarcated so how it can go to other countries.”

In as far as the demand to construct the fencing on zero line is concerned, he said, “We wanted that it should be but there is an international norm that any construction has to be carried out beyond 150 yards from the international border. This is applicable not only to the BSF not only to India but also applicable to the neighbouring country like Bangladesh…that international norm we have to follow it.”

“Yes, on humanitarian ground in patches where villages are right on the border or near to the border, we take a permission or a concurrence from the government of Bangladesh through the BGB then single row fencing is constructed right on the border according to the situation on the ground.”