Meghalaya is caught in the horns of a dilemma. The phrase ‘between a rock and a hard place’ is a metaphor for a problem offering two possibilities, neither of which is practically acceptable. The problem here is influx. What has not been clearly articulated is whether the fear is for influx from other states of India or influx from across the border, or both. If influx from across the border is the fear then the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is hardly the instrument to deal with the issue. The ILP might deter Indians from coming in whether as tourists or workers. When an issue is problematized it requires extensive data, based on field research before anyone can offer solutions. For many problems there are no ready-made or easy solutions. There needs to be a sample survey of the areas where influx is most apparent. Is it Shillong city that is the problem? Or the coal and limestone mining areas that are posing serious threats? We need some tangible numbers to deal with. Influx from across the border means that the population has no verifiable documents and live in some labour camps where the census is probably not taken. So these are people who are unaccounted for and don’t appear as census figures, yet they use up the resources that should rightfully belong to genuine citizens.
Bangladeshis cross over to Meghalaya because there are opportunities available. They also have easy access across the Bangladesh border adjoining parts of Khasi-Jaintia hills and Garo Hills. Ironically, the same groups that cry hoarse on influx are against the idea of border fencing. Could they be asked to suggest better ways to counter illegal immigration if the most potent route remains open? As far as influx from other states of India is concerned, the problem is similar. Outsiders come because there are opportunities in the construction industry, the service industry and several other areas that tribals are unwilling to engage in. It has to be said that dignity of labour is an alien term amongst the tribes. There is no work culture worth talking about. If businesses here have to thrive on local labour they would tend to become awfully expensive. The law of economics cannot be subsumed by parochial sentiments. It just will not work. Let those who make an issue of any problem also demonstrate workable models and not just put up roadblocks to progress.
