Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today said the state government is actively considering either strengthening the existing Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) or introducing a new legislation to address the growing concerns over infiltration from Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters, Tynsong emphasised the urgency of creating a robust legal mechanism at the state level to complement national laws in tackling cross-border infiltration. “We have a national Act – the Infiltration and Deportation Act – and it is being implemented by the central government agencies like the BSF. In our state, we have a 443km-long border with Bangladesh,” he said.
While acknowledging the role of central forces in guarding the border, Tynsong, who is also Home Minister, pointed out the need for state-specific laws. “We are seriously thinking of coming up with or strengthening and revisiting the existing act like the MRSSA. Or, we can even go for a new proposed act – that is a subject the government is still considering. I personally think it is important and very urgent, as we need to have some kind of mechanism in the state and not just depend on central laws,” he stated.
Tynsong highlighted the limitations of the current system, where deportation is carried out solely under central legislation. “Sometimes BSF is able to nab them, sometimes the state police. And the moment they are arrested, central laws apply and deportation has to be done according to the act and rules,” he explained.
He also noted that infiltration is not unique to Meghalaya. “It is not just through Meghalaya that infiltration from Bangladesh is taking place but from various other states as well like West Bengal, Assam, etc.”
