By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Keeping the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system at bay, the state government is now contemplating to enforce the ‘Foreigners Act’ and ‘Tenancy Act’ to safeguard the indigenous community from the onslaught of illegal migrants.
“We will examine the various aspects of the laws available which will enable the state government to tackle influx of foreigners,” Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said here on Thursday.
Talking to reporters after a high-level meeting with the officials of different departments to find ways to put an end to the problem of illegal immigrants, Dr Sangma underlined the need to effectively enforce the Foreigners Act besides implementing the Meghalaya Tenancy Act, which is still at the drafting stage.
Dr Sangma also informed that various existing laws related to labour including laws passed by Parliament were discussed so that the laws can be integrated for evolving an effective mechanism in tackling influx of foreigners.
“The State government is examining some laws passed by Parliament so that they can be implemented in the State without having any conflict with the existing laws,” the Chief Minister said.
Moreover, he said, the proposed Tenancy Act would ensure verification of credentials of tenants and that the house owners renting their houses to a stranger must comply with the provisions of the Tenancy Act.
Dr Sangma said that his government was considering enforcement of the Foreigners Act keeping in mind the fact that the state shares an international border with Bangladesh.
“The provision of this law is very much relevant in the context of Meghalaya,” he said adding that the Law and Labour departments have been directed to examine the matter.
On the implementation of labour laws in the State, Dr Sangma said that there were around 44 existing laws related to labour and the State labour department would examine these laws and hold another around of discussion next week.
It may be mentioned here that issues concerning influx of foreigners have been raised on several occasions in the state Assembly. Several NGOs of the state have taken up the matter with the successive governments on a number of occasions. On whether the government will introduce the ILP or the three-tier card system, Dr Sangma, instead of giving a direct reply, said, , “We want to come up with some acts with an objective to have a proper mechanism to tackle influx of foreigners.”
The high-level committee on influx under the chairmanship of Bindo M. Lanong, had exclusively recommended implementing the ILP system in Meghalaya to safeguard the indigenous community from the onslaught of illegal migrants.