The Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP) has warned against the possible risk that some displaced individuals, who faced eviction from government land in Assam, may attempt to cross into Meghalaya.
Several Meghalaya districts share borders with Assam. These include West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, East Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and East Jaintia Hills.
Assam, has been witnessing a series of five massive eviction exercises in June and July targeting alleged illegal immigrants in various areas.
FKJGP vice president Kitboklang Nongphlang expressed deep concern over the ongoing eviction drive in Assam saying there is a possibility of inward movement of immigrants, posing a threat to Meghalaya and the safety and security of its residents.
He said the State government has not only failed to implement the existing laws such as the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 (Work Permit), Meghalaya Residents Safety & Security Act 2016, Meghalaya Identification, Registration (safety & Security) of Migrant Workers Act 2020, but failed to respect the resolution passed on ILP by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in December, 2019 as the issue lingers with the Centre.
Nongphlang said the government’s claim that it is still pushing for implementation of the ILP with the centre is to mislead the pressure groups and the people. This, he said, is an act scripted by the NPP-led MDA government as is evident from the statement made by Union Minister of State Krishan Pal Gurjar during his recent visit to the state that he was not fully updated on the ILP.
He said the government’s decision to bring an amendment to the Residents Act is hypocrisy.
Referring to a July 21 notification of the Nagaland government calling its administration to heighten vigilance against the movement of displaced people into the state amidst the Assam eviction drives, the FKJGP said the Meghalaya government is asleep and busy with festivals.
The organisation slammed the government accusing it of sheltering immigrants for vote bank and stated that infiltration check gates have become a source of illegal income to a few and appointment of labour inspectors in the block level, a waste of public exchequer.
The FKJGP warned of action if the government fails to take necessary steps to prevent the inflow of immigrants caused by evictions in Assam and has asked its district and units to be vigilant and prevent potential influx of illegal immigrants into the state.
