Silchar: Cachar district has restricted night movement along the India-Bangladesh border and the Surma river over law-and-order and smuggling concerns.District magistrate Rahul Kumar Gupta issued the order under Section 163 of the BNSS on Thursday. It came into force immediately and will remain effective for two months unless withdrawn earlier.Movement between sunset and sunrise has been prohibited within 1 km of the international border in Cachar. Similar restrictions apply along Surma river and its high banks within Indian territory.The order also bans fishing by boat in Surma. However, the Katigorah circle officer may permit residents to fish for personal consumption with the consent of the concerned lessee and subject to lease conditions and applicable rules. Copies of such permissions must be sent to the district magistrate and the commandant of the concerned BSF battalion.The transportation of commodities, including sugar, rice, wheat, edible oil, SK oil and salt, has also been prohibited between sunset and sunrise within 5 km of the Bangladesh border. The restriction applies to vehicles, carts, rickshaws and other modes of transport.The Katigorah circle officer may grant exemptions in genuine cases after verification by the supply authorities. Such permissions will be limited to a specified purpose, period and location.Govt officials and employees deployed in border areas have been exempted.The administration said the measures followed reports concerning law and order and apprehensions of illegal transportation of goods and cattle through Cachar. The district shares a 32-km border with Bangladesh.
