Jowai, Sep 21: War Jaintia has become a transit route for illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators with active help from local facilitators, the War Jaintia Students’ Union (WJSU) alleged, flagging a sharp spike in illegal entry through Dawki and other border points.
In a petition to SDO (Civil) Amlarem, the union said Amlarem Sub-Division shares a long border with Bangladesh and locals, headmen and dorbars frequently spot infiltrators entering illegally to work as labourers in other parts of the state.
The union said infiltration has spiked this month alone. Police recently arrested 18 Bangladeshi nationals who entered in a group, along with eight local drivers and two facilitators. In another case, 27 Bangladeshis – 16 men and 11 women – were caught while crossing through zero point.
In a separate incident, local youth caught a vehicle carrying three undocumented persons who later admitted to being Bangladeshi nationals. The union alleged local dalals tried to offer money to secure their release.
“All these incidents show drivers, traffickers and facilitators from the region are helping illegal entry of Bangladeshis and using roads in War Jaintia as transit to other parts of the state,” WJSU said.
The union said entry without passport, visa or permit violates Foreigners Act, 1946 and Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, and unchecked settlement threatens demography, land and culture of indigenous Khasi-Jaintia people protected under Sixth Schedule.
It warned this could trigger future problems related to livelihood, public services, land and security of border residents.
WJSU has demanded intensified patrolling by police and BSF along Dawki and all border points in War Jaintia, mandatory verification and registration of non-indigenous labourers and tenants under Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, and strict record-keeping by employers, contractors, landlords and hotel/lodge owners. It also demanded stern action against agents, traffickers and locals facilitating infiltration.
The union said it is ready to cooperate with locals and government to check infiltration but warned if authorities fail to act on its urgent demands, it will take its own course of action for the welfare of the people and security of indigenous land.
