Shillong, Nov 25:The state government is being as vigilant as it can be to stave off the entry of illegal migrants into Meghalaya but needs the continued support of all stakeholders.
Meghalaya shares a 443km border with Bangladesh and 800km border with Assam. The situation – both economic and socio-political – in Bangladesh means that many migrants leave that country for this one, often using Meghalaya as a conduit if not a final destination.
Assam is currently cracking down on its own illegal migrant problem and there are fears in this state that such an exercise will lead illegals to leave Assam and settle in Meghalaya.
Today Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said that the state is always on the job to prevent illegal immigration.
On the demands to implement Inner Line Permit (ILP), Dhar said that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has met the Union Home Minister on the matter and recently they even met the state Governor CH Vijayashankar.
Meanwhile, cabinet minister Lahkmen Rymbui said that it is the duty of stakeholders to report to authorities if they come across any illegal immigrants.
The long borders with Assam and Bangladesh, many in rural, sparsely populated areas, pose a challenge for the Meghalaya authorities, Rymbui added.
He said that even though the state is trying its best to check illegal immigration, no laws are perfect, though Meghalaya is using all tools at its disposal to tackle the issue even in the absence of ILP.
