Accused of voyeurism in Meghalaya, BSF denies charge

Less than three weeks after two Border Security Force (BSF) constables in Meghalaya allegedly sacrificed a minor to be relieved of infertility, troopers of the paramilitary unit in the state have now been accused of voyeurism.

Less than three weeks after two Border Security Force (BSF) constables in Meghalaya allegedly sacrificed a minor to be relieved of infertility, troopers of the paramilitary unit in the state have now been accused of voyeurism.

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Earlier this week, the people of Nongtyngur village near the India-Bangladesh border in West Khasi Hills district accused BSF personnel of patrolling unnecessarily in the area to watch local women bathe and pester them. Nongtyngur is 70 km southwest of Meghalaya capital Shillong.

The BSF denied the charge and said some locals involved in cattle smuggling were instigating the villagers. “Strict vigil has helped us curb cattle smuggling in the area for the past six months. Certain people don’t want our men to patrol a cattle smuggling route along a river near the village close to the border,” said BSF spokesperson Ravi Gandhi from Shillong on Tuesday.

Nongtyngur villagers, however, rubbished the BSF claim. “We cannot recall a single instance in the last many years when BSF personnel arrested any smuggler,” said a villager Bubu.