India, Aug. 21 -- A government-appointed panel confirmed on Thursday that the August 9 Bangladeshi intrusion in Meghalaya's South West Khasi Hills happened after border fencing collapsed due to heavy rainfall in Khonjoy village.

Chief minister Conrad K Sangma and his deputy Prestone Tynsong had directed a three member team, Himalaya M. Shangpliang, government advisor; Marthon J. Sangma, Mendipathar MLA; and Kitborlang Nongrem, vice chairman of the Border Area Development Committee, to probe the incident.

After visiting the Khonjoy B, Rongdangai, and Maheshkhola villages, the team said locals were living in fear of recurring cross-border threats.

"People told us that collapsed fencing has created easy entry points. Despite the presence ...