The state government cannot turn a blind eye to illegal migration just because Meghalaya is in need of labourers, United Democratic Party (UDP) president and Mairang MLA Metbah Lyngdoh said today.
Meghalaya has been gripped by vigilantes taking it upon themselves to check the antecedents of migrant labourers over the last few weeks, with thousands forced to leave the state or doing so out of fear.
Lyngdoh said today that the illegal flow of people into the state in the name of labourers cannot be allowed and he has asked the government to tighten checks by implementing existing laws and regulations in letter and spirit.
“The government has to ensure also that those existing laws and guidelines have to be followed seriously. We cannot allow illegal flow of people from outside the state just in the name of labour,” he said, adding that the matter can be controlled if the government simply uses all the laws and regulations that it has at its disposal, which are quite sufficient.
Stressing that priority should be given to local labourers, he, however, acknowledged that there are some jobs that demand skilled professionals from elsewhere.
