By Toki Blah
The High Powered Committee (HPC) set up by the Government to delve into the vexed issue of influx of outsiders had decided to recommend two models of influx control mechanisms. One will be the Inner Line Permit system and the other the Comprehensive 3 tier ID Card system. It has to be understood that these are strategic options, proposed for influx control where the Government has to finally opt for the system it thinks is best suited for Meghalaya. It is no Hobson’s choice but to be able to fully appreciate the merit of each proposal, it is necessary to first understand the basics of the topic under discussion. (a) Why is influx considered a threat (b) Why does influx occur (c) How does it manifest itself? (d) The difficulties, so far, in curbing it. Understanding the dynamics of influx within the Meghalayan context, will help us in identifying the best option to control it.
In a 6th Schedule Tribal State like Meghalaya, uncontrolled influx poses a dual threat to the state and its people. It threatens to upset the existing delicate demographic balance and is also detrimental to the political and social capital of its indigenous people. The aspect of influx that we are most apprehensive of is the ability of outsiders to enter the state; disappear with ease among the huge, existing non-tribal population and then to emerge one day as bona-fide, genuine residents of Meghalaya. The class of outsiders usually associated with this menace are the unskilled or semi skilled labourers from outside who enter the state because of a shortage of local labour. They are usually brought in by local mine owners, contractors and lately by the many cement factories that have sprung up. They no doubt add to the economy of the state but our inability to monitor and keep track of their movements within is the basic problem. The effectiveness of any control mechanism therefore lies not so much in its ability to prevent entry into Meghalaya as its potential to prevent outsiders from taking root in the state. This can only be prevented through constant monitoring of their movements. This has to be clearly understood by our policy makers.
Meghalaya’s influx problems springs from the existence of a huge floating population of migrant labourers we are unable to keep track of. The situation is further aggravated by local businessmen who bring in such migrant labourers but who remain totally indifferent about the final destination of the people brought in. Of late, a more serious aspect of influx is being discussed where it is rumoured that outsiders of a particular faith have been deliberately brought in and encouraged to take roots and settle in especially in the coal mining areas and within urban Shillong. Such rumours, whether true or false, need to be curbed before they get out of hand and before they cause uncalled for mayhem and bloodshed. It is in this context that the need for an influx control mechanism with a strong monitoring component is crucial for Meghalaya. It is in this context that the Comprehensive 3 Tier Card System is being offered as the best mechanism to address the issue.
This write up is an attempt to outline the profile of the proposed 3 Tier ID Card as an Influx Control Mechanism. The nuts and bolts can come in later. The first tier will comprise of the Permanent Residents of the state and all indigenous tribals of Meghalaya automatically qualify for this category. We however have to accept that there are other tribals and non tribals who have settled in Meghalaya even before the state was born. Justice demands that they too be given due recognition as permanent residents of the state, subject however to the local laws prevailing such as the Land Transfer Act, Trading by Non Tribals, Reservation Policy etc. Then there is the Semi Permanent category of IDs in recognition of Meghalaya’s infrastructural need for massive input of technology and expertise. We need people from outside, with such skills to work in a congenial atmosphere for considerable periods of time while they contribute to this requirement. Meghalaya is also an educational hub attracting a huge number students and scholars. The Semi Permanent ID card will also serve their academic needs.
The third category of ID Cards will be reserved for outsiders who need to stay only for a short periods of time in Meghalaya. Tourists and migratory labourers generally fall within this category and will thus be entitled for temporary ID Cards which will be valid for not more than 3 months. A temporary ID card cannot be renewed. All hotels, guest houses and house owners shall rent accommodation only to valid card holders. Employers of outside labourers (mine, quarry owners, contractors or cement companies) will and can employ only those who hold valid ID Cards. Thus the onus of sheltering or employing invalid ID card holders will have to be shared by the business community. Punitive action awaits both the defaulting ID card holder as well as the abettor. It is expected that the business community will adhere to these rules in the interest of the state and its people. To help them, the Durbars, the Excise & Labour departments and the police will be authorised to check on all such card holders and their employers. Monitoring, which has been our weakest link will thus be made robust and strong through participatory involvement of all concerned stakeholders. It is important to mention that one category of ID card cannot be converted into another category ever. This shall form one of the inviolable aspects of the scheme.
The 3 tier ID card system is based on two basic assumptions (i) that if we want to safeguard ourselves from influx, the best way to do so, keeping in mind the nature and complexity of the problem in our state, is for all residents of Meghalaya to be issued with Identity Cards. The experience of other countries shows that the ID card, by far, is the most effective method to expose unauthorised settlers. Introducing a digital micro chip based ID card simply enforces the potency of the system (ii) for the system to work, there is need for New Delhi’s approval. Delhi has to approve on a cut off year to help determine non indigenous permanent residents. The Centre should also be willing to bear the costs for the scheme. There is nothing new or extraordinary in this and it will depend on how Meghalaya convinces New Delhi of the need, validity and effectiveness of the proposal.
Under the system it will be mandatory for all residents of the state to possess an ID Card be it of Permanent, Semi Permanent or Temporary category and all aspects of daily life will depend on the possession of a card. Work and the ability to find employment; school or college admission; legibility for a ration card, mobile connection; legibility to rent an accommodation will all depend on the nature of the card and its validity. What it really means is persons without a valid card cannot survive in Meghalaya. An invalid or expired ID card holder will voluntarily have to leave Meghalaya. This is the strength of the scheme. That is why 24×7 monitoring of all categories of cards becomes necessary. Question arises as to what agency is best suited to maintain the required round the clock supervision and monitoring? It obviously cannot be a Government agency as the Government neither has the man power, the resources nor an agency with the sincerity, commitment and selflessness to comply with the requirements of the job. So whom do we turn to?
If influx is the concern of the common man then why not empower civil society and its Traditional Institutions the authority to deal with the problem themselves. They will work in tandem with enforcement agencies of the Govt. This is where the element of participation comes in, an element of governance that is traditional and one we are comfortable with. The effective execution and monitoring of the scheme; keeping track of the movements of all card holders, especially the temporary ID Card holders, will be in the hands of the people through their respective durbars. Durbars are already performing yeoman service to the community through their 24×7 participative vigilance over all aspects of activity within their respective jurisdiction. Involvement of the local durbars will introduce the most crucial but as yet missing component in any influx control mechanism- the ability to effectively monitor and track. The police have identified Durbars as the main stakeholders towards a ‘Safe and Secure Shillong’. The participative strength of our Traditional Institutions should also be made full use of to flush out illegal migrants. In this case they will simply need from the Government some funding; regular capacity building and support in handling cases of ID card violation. Surely a small price to pay for preserving the indigenous identity and characteristics of our people and our state!