By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Amid the ongoing influx imbroglio in the State, Congress legislator Sayeedullah Nongrum on Thursday reiterated that there are no Bangladeshi infiltrators in Garo Hills including his constituency of Rajabala.
Speaking to reporters, Nongrum claimed that the Muslims inhabiting the plain-belt areas of Garo Hills had settled there several centuries ago.
He said it was between the period 1731 to 1892 that Muslims from Cooch Bihar had settled in the plain-belt areas of Garo Hills and obtained patta from the British. At that point of time, some of the names of places where they had settled were Koraibari and Kulumalupara. However, the nomenclature of these places has changed over the years, he added.
According to Nongrum there are no Bangladeshis in areas from Phulbari to Mankachar.
“In these areas, influx from Assam is possible, but not from Bangladesh,” Nongrum asserted.
He admitted that in Garo Hills, during the season of flood, many people from Assam come and settle there.
Nongrum also stressed that genuine citizens of the State should not be harassed in the name of checking influx.
He also said that as per constitutional provision, people from other parts of India can come to the State and they also should not be harassed.
The Headmen and the police can verify the antecedents of the people who come to the State and also who are residing here, he added.
“We are committed to protect the demography of the people. Meghalaya should not go the Tripura way,” Nongrum added.
It may be reminded that Nongrum, in November 2008, had offered to resign from the Assembly if the State Government was able to prove the presence of even one ‘illegal’ Bangladeshi in his constituency Rajabala.