The Umling checkpoint in Ri-Bhoi has not yet been fully operationalized because the Governor has yet to give his assent to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) amendment, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said today.
Yesterday, a pressure group inspected the site and stated that the checkpoint was only concerned about Covid-19 rather than the antecedents of migrants. At the launch of the checkpoint in December, the government had heralded the facility as the realization of promises made to keep a check on illegal migration into the state.
Speaking to reporters today, Tynsong said that the current MRSSA regulations being followed are those in the 2016 legislation, which mainly focuses on tenants, who have to provide documents to their landlords when coming to Meghalaya to study or work.
The 2020 amendment, which was forwarded by the previous Governor, Tathagata Roy, to the Union Home Ministry for its views, would (if it receives assent) require all those who enter Meghalaya to register at entry points such as Umling.
