The spectre of refugees fleeing the violence in Manipur only to become permanent settlers of Meghalaya was raised in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today, with fears expressed by the opposition.
Nominated MDC Bindo Lanong, in a motion moved today, said that empathy towards those having to leave Manipur has its limits.
The KHADC should come up with directives to local headmen and the council should in turn liaise with the state government to make sure the situation does not go out of hand.
Opposition leader Titosstarwell Chyne, who was until recently the KHADC chief, said that, while in charge, he had called for a meeting with all the headmen in Shillong and representatives of Hima Mylliem to discuss the issue of the refugees from Manipur in May.
Back then, headmen were told to be vigilant on incomers. However, he claimed today that some headmen have been threatened for doing their duty.
“We have seen the refugee colonies that have even stood against the Dorbar Shnong and if we are not vigilant a great danger awaits us,” Chyne said.
Nongthymmai MDC Latiplang Kharkongor said that his constituency is also affected by the situation, with refugees arriving at odd hours of the night claiming to be relatives of residents of the area.
Headmen are facing grave difficulties in handling the situation as the state government does not seem all that concerned, he added.
“One day they will get to avail the voters’ identity and ration cards and become citizens of the state and compete with the livelihood of our people,” he feared.
