In response to the tense situation in Bangladesh, the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya has imposed a night curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The curfew affects a 1 km area along the International Border near the Zero Line and will be enforced daily from 8 PM to 6 AM for the next two months, starting May 8, 2025.
Curfew Rules and Reasons:
According to District Magistrate R.M. Kurbah, the curfew aims to:
- Prevent illegal crossings into Bangladesh or India
- Stop unauthorized gatherings of five or more people
- Ban weapons like sticks, rods, or stones
- Control smuggling of items such as cattle, contraband goods, betelnut, dry fish, bidis, and tea leaves
Regional Tensions Following Operation Sindoor
The curfew comes just after India’s Operation Sindoor, a military strike targeting terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh confirmed that nine terror camps were destroyed without harming civilians. Targets included Muridke, linked to Ajmal Kasab and David Headley, and sites in Sialkot, Kotli, and Barnala.
Bangladesh Urges Restraint
Amid rising tensions, the Bangladesh government issued a statement urging both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and avoid actions that may escalate conflict. It also expressed hope for peace through diplomatic efforts.
India’s Response to Terror Attack
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted the barbarity of the Pahalgam attack, noting that victims were shot at close range in front of their families. He stated the attack was meant to disrupt normalcy in Kashmir and create fear among civilians.
