Damaged barbed wires used for fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border is a cause of concern for the Khasi Students Union who felt that it is time for the centre to consider implementing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the State.
Barbed wires along Ichamati and Majai in East Khasi Hills district have reportedly damaged due to heavy rains. According to the KSU, these damages were cause in 2018-19.
KSU president Lambokstar Marngar said these weak fences were not repaired giving illegal immigrants a free way to illegally sneak in. He said his members have apprehended many such immigrants on several occasions in the last two months.
Stating that many immigrants have already mingled with the crowd, he said the union has highlighted this to the government several times.
Pointing out that in the absence of a strong mechanism the illegal immigrants are taking full advantage of it, Marngar said the centre should consider implementing ILP in Meghalaya.
He said that all the 60 MLAs should aggressively pursue with the demand because until and unless a proper anti-influx mechanism is in place the State will continue to face the problem of influx.
It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution during a special session on December 19, 2019 urging the Government of India to implement ILP in the state under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma during the autumn session held last month said that the resolution passed by the House was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for its consideration. He said the government has written to the Ministry about ILP twice and also submitted a memorandum on the subject during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Shillong last year.
