Although the CAA provides exemptions in applicability in tribal areas of Meghalaya, this will not prevent a foreigner who gains Indian citizenship from moving into Meghalaya.
This was stated by Advocate Erwin K Syiem Sutnga, who questioned the state government’s failure to empower the district councils.
“You (Chief Minister) are saying that the CAA will not apply in tribal areas, but what power have you given the district councils to safeguard this. The district council does not even have the power to regulate the migration and entry of Indian citizens or the new citizens in tribal areas,” he questioned.
In the absence of the control mechanism like the Inner Line Permit or an identification card system, Sutnga asked if the government has put in place a mechanism that will stop those who avail citizenship from entering into the tribal areas.
“Can the district council check this when it cannot even put up check gates to check tourist. What about the more than 6 lakh people in Assam who are waiting for citizenship. Where will they flow once they get the citizenship? It is beyond expectation that they will remain in Assam with so much opposition there and their easiest way out is to come here. And how effective is the checking at Umling?” he asked.
Sutnga suggested that the district council should have a control mechanism like issuance of identity cards or some sorts of ILP-like mechanism that will check influx, economic development, and preservation of the identity of the tribal people and their indigenous rights and implementation of article 19 with (reasonable restrictions) for the interest of the schedule tribes.
He also stressed that there is a need to empower the dorbar shnongs and to give the rangbah shnong magisterial powers, especially concerning law and order.
Stating that there is a need for proper coordination equipped with proper training and practical approach between the state government, district council and the dorbar shnong, he said, “Just to say we have adequate safeguard is pure hollow rhetoric and political statements with no value and truths.”
Recently, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had said that CAA will not impact Meghalaya because only a small section is a non-scheduled area in the state.
