Shillong, November 6: Meghalaya is awaiting the Centre’s response to a request from landowners seeking compensation for land that would fall beyond the proposed fencing along the India–Bangladesh border, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, Tynsong said landowners and village committees from Garo Hills to East Jaintia Hills had expressed willingness to allow the fencing. However, their concern was that construction of the fence could leave portions of their land inaccessible, preventing them from using the land for cultivation.

He said the affected landowners wanted the Government of India to take over the portions of land that would fall beyond the fence and provide appropriate compensation.

Tynsong said the state government had already taken up the matter with the Centre and was awaiting its response.

The Deputy Chief Minister estimated that the stretch under discussion was approximately 45 kilometres long.