In a warning of further trouble to come, the Khasi Students Union (KSU) has remained adamant that it will continue with its drive against so-called illegal migrants in order to put pressure on the central government to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya.
Following the disruption and anxiety caused by the KSU setting up check gates and conducting inspections of migrant labourers over the last several days, members of the pressure group were called for a meeting with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma here today.
The meeting seems to have made no impact on the KSU leadership, which is committed to getting ILP and the amended Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) for the state.
Thousands of labourers have been affected by the KSU’s activities in various parts of the state, with the Meghalaya government seemingly unable or unwilling to take a strong stand against the pressure group, other than to summon a few members to police stations for questioning.
Although the Meghalaya Assembly passed a unanimous resolution in late 2019 in favour of ILP and the amended MRSSA was passed by the legislature, neither has received consent from the Centre and the KSU is tired of waiting.
The pressure group is also unhappy with the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety & Security) of Migrant Workers Act 2020 as compared to the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act 1979, which it feels is stronger.
“The Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act has stated that the penalty will be one year for a contractor who violates the act but in the new (Meghalaya) act, they have to pay only Rs 5,000. Just imagine a big contractor or company from the state or outside they can easily pay Rs 5,000 but if there is a jail penalty then it will affect them and there is a chance for them to be blacklisted,” said a KSU leader.
