Silchar: The Cachar district administration has imposed prohibitory restrictions along sensitive stretches of the Indo-Bangladesh border to prevent illegal movement and avert potential law and order threats.

District Magistrate Mridul Yadav, IAS, has issued an ex parte order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, citing apprehensions over unauthorised cross-border activities and the possible movement of extremist elements, particularly during night hours.

Under the order, movement of individuals has been prohibited from sunset to sunrise within a one-kilometre belt along the international border in Cachar district. Night-time movement on the river Surma and along its high banks within Indian territory has also been barred, as riverine routes are often vulnerable to misuse for illegal activities.

The administration has further tightened controls on boating and fishing on the Surma. Fishing will be allowed only to local residents for personal consumption and only after obtaining prior permission from the Circle Officer, Katigorah.

Such permissions will be subject to lease conditions and close monitoring, with copies forwarded to the District Magistrate and the Commandant of the 170th Battalion of the Border Security Force at Dholcherra to ensure coordination between civil and security authorities.

To curb illegal trade, the order restricts night-time transportation of essential commodities including rice, wheat, sugar, edible oil, SK oil and salt within a five-kilometre belt inside the district boundary along the Bangladesh border. Any relaxation will be granted only after verification by supply officials and will be limited to specific purposes, timings and locations.

Government officials on official duty in border areas have been exempted from the restrictions to ensure uninterrupted administrative and security operations.

The order has come into effect immediately and will remain in force for two months unless withdrawn or modified earlier, the administration said, stressing that the measures are preventive in nature and aimed at maintaining peace and public order in the district.