By Toki Blah
The issue of influx into the State of Meghalaya has once again begun to raise its head. Elections are two years away. However, the very fact that His Excellency, the Governor of Meghalaya chose to flag this issue in his address to the Budget Session of the Meghalaya Assembly, speaks volumes of the seriousness of the problem. On the other hand the fact that our legislators choose to spend quality Assembly time in debating the location of the MBOSE office than the issue of unregulated influx, simply enforces a long held suspicion that in Meghalaya, most legislators shy away from issues that call for cerebral activity. Sweeping the problem under the carpet is no solution, for the issue of influx continues to haunt us whether our leaders like it or not. To a Northeastern tribal the danger posed by unchecked influx of outsiders is real. Influx has tremendous potential to upset the delicate demographic balance that prevails in the region. The case of Tripura is often cited as to what happens when influx is not checked. This unsettles tribal perceptions and often results in ethnic tensions for which genuine non tribals often bear the brunt. Unregulated influx therefore poses a danger for both the genuine tribal as well as the genuine non tribal of the state. It must be tackled but the question is how?
In Meghalaya the tension over influx culminated in the KSU’s anti foreigner movement of the 1980’s. Confusion still prevails over the translation of the Khasi word “Mynder” to that of “Foreigner”. The response of the State and central government to the issue of influx is mixed and interesting. The Government of Meghalaya, in full comprehension of the meaning ‘Mynder,’ set up anti- infiltration gates to check the entry of non- resident non tribals into Meghalaya. The Central Government on the other hand, seriously took up the issue of illegal migration from across the border and decided on border fencing to stop influx of foreigners. Two different reactions to the same problem! The only similarity between the two is the dependence on police action to check influx. The problem on the other hand never found serious articulation on the floor of the Assembly. Its symptoms were treated as mere law and order problems that are best left to the police to solve. No one ever thought of a third alternative. No one bothered to see a solution outside the purview of Government intervention. In the process the role of the common man and of the local population as active and concerned stakeholders to the problem, was never really appreciated. Control of influx, in reality, is the common man’s main agenda even if our politicians prefer to ignore the same. It is high time we brought them in as partners to a solution than as problem makers as they have so often been painted. The Government of Meghalaya had recently offered the introduction of a Comprehensive Three Tier ID Card system as the most viable control mechanism against influx. The system seeks the active participation of the people, through local traditional institutions, in controlling the menace of influx, and as such it warrants a closer study. As is usual with most good Government intentions, many a slip occur between the cup and the lip, and the proposed 3 ID Card is yet to see the light of day. The effectiveness of the system however can be discussed and its relevance assessed. This unfortunately has not been done in the Legislative assembly as it should have, presumably for obvious reasons. Hence , deprived of the wisdom of the Legislature, this write up proposes by default to do what our honourable MLAs were supposed to. Not from any love for the delinquents but out of the realization that if the 3ID Card is based on peoples participation, then the people need to be appraised of its effectiveness or otherwise. This write-up therefore is an imagination of the nature and effectiveness of the proposed 3 ID card system. At the top of the 3 Tier ID Card systems is the ID card for all permanent residents of the state. These will consist of all indigenous tribals of Meghalaya, other tribals and non-tribals. The latter two will be identified on the basis of a reference year, to be decided by Government and all who were residents of Meghalaya before such a year are to be conferred Permanent Resident status, albeit subject to all local laws applicable for all non tribals and non indigenous tribals residing in Meghalaya. Identification of all persons falling under this category will be done by the local Durbar in Council. The word “Durbar in Council” is specially mentioned as it will prevent misuse of power by any single individual at the Durbar level. It is however recognized that in certain places, such as the coal mining areas, even Durbars in Council are influenced by vested interests. In such areas, the involvement of District Government officials, operating under strict guidelines is necessary. The Permanent ID Card seeks in a single stroke to restore the legitimate rights and residential status of genuine non- tribal residents of Meghalaya who for no fault of theirs have for quite some time become apprehensive of their future in the State. At the same time it seeks to placate the indigenous tribals on the identity of others who have an equally positive interest in the development Meghalaya and its people. The state needs to come up openly and strongly to safeguard the interest of such residents and the Permanent ID Card is expected to address this long felt need. Next is the ID card or Work Permit for technical and skilled non-permanent residents of Meghalaya. It has to be recognized that the state has enormous potential for coming up with a dynamic and viable economic resurgence. Quality education, world class health care and IT are three potential areas that immediately come to mind. There are other areas of development where there will be need for a sustained inflow of technology and of experts, which might not be available locally. We most probably shall need non local technical expertise to kick start any Economic Vision that we may have. We need to invite experts from outside who will contribute to the development of the State and we need to ensure that they do stay for a relative period of time and in relative comfort and security. Such people will need places to stay; institutions to work in; schools and colleges for educating their children; ration cards to sustain themselves etc. As a State we welcome up gradation of knowledge and technology. We welcome those who are prepared to come and endow Meghalaya with these assets. The proposed Semi – Permanent ID Card is for such a category of people. Their entry as Semi Permanent residents can be endorsed by the Institution they intend to work for, stating the anticipated period of stay and the Government shall then issue the necessary Semi Permanent ID Card.
Last but not least we have to accept, that in Meghalaya the demand for unskilled labour has always been met through import of outside labour. Local labour is expensive; migrant labour is cheap. The flow of outside labour into Meghalaya, especially in the mining and building activities corresponds to the law of supply and demand. It is when imported cheap labour begins to take permanent roots, especially in rural Meghalaya that the trouble starts. The local fear of a demographic change then remains no longer unfounded. A political appeal to the local entrepreneurs to stop importing labour is ridiculous and naïve. But if we cannot stop the laws of economics we can at least control them. We can make sure that the labour that comes into Meghalaya is not allowed to take permanent root. Here lies the answer to the influx problem. I believe that all well wishers of the State will agree to this! It is also logical to assume that control of influx can no longer be entrusted to the agencies of the Government alone. There is need to bring convergence of local communities, grassroots traditional institutions, local NGOs and Government so that together they all get involved in influx control exercises. This constant alert status can only take place through a participatory process of controlling Influx. This is where the issue of the Temporary ID Card comes in. We have confirmed that inflow of tourists and outside labour is essential for development. Let Government issue Temporary ID Cards to such category of persons with a 3-month validity. No temporary ID card can be renewed. It is also presumed that since the Card is for a 3-month period only, the holder shall not require rented accommodation, nor rent office premises, nor need to set up businesses; nor can they apply for employment or avail of educational facilities. They also shall not register for ration cards etc. As tourists they shall only need hotel or paying guest accommodation. As labourers it shall be the responsibility of the contractor who brings them in to take care of their daily needs. Durbars, NGOs and other concerned local groups will ensure that the above are enforced. Once his period of stay is over the holder of a Temporary ID Card will voluntarily leave. Every one is happy .
The above, in essence is the concept behind the comprehensive 3 ID Card system as a control measure against influx. This concept is based mainly on the easy availability of online connectivity through the electronic digital systems and software. A main server or hub shall be installed and operate from a central office in Shillong. This main server will be linked to secondary portals located at all district HQs, at all entry points on Meghalaya’s border and to all Meghalaya houses and authorized travel agents. The Meghalaya Web will advertise how online application for ID Cards can be made. Application through such portals will be mainly for Semi Permanent and Temporary Cards only, as these do not require local durbar scrutiny for issue. The system automatically makes it impossible for anyone with out a card to stay and live in Meghalaya. Local participation, and not dependence on a susceptible police constabulary, will further ensure compliance throughout all Meghalaya. It is a fool-proof mechanism towards the control of illegal immigration and there is optimism of its effective applicability throughout the NE. Those interested in maintaining the demographic harmony in Meghalaya and the NE will definitely welcome the scheme. One however cannot speak on behalf of those who wish otherwise.