State yet to implement ‘mechanism’ to tackle influx
SHILLONG: The cons-ortium of 13 pro-ILP pressure groups has expressed its disappointment at the delay by the State Government in implementing a ‘comprehensive mechanism’ to tackle influx.
“We urge Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to immediately implement the government’s proposal of a comprehensive mechanism to counter inter-state influx and illegal immigration,” FKJGP president Joe Marwein said in a statement here on Wednesday.
He also expressed his displeasure at the delay by the government in implementing the various points suggested by the pressure groups to deal with the problem of influx.
“It has been two months since we submitted our suggestions on a comprehensive mechanism to deal with influx but till date we have heard nothing from the government,” Marwein said.
“The government should inform us about the progress in implementation of the mechanisms suggested by us,” he added. The FKJGP president also spoke of the people’s concern over the lack of seriousness on the part of the State Government to act against the threat posed by influx.
It may be mentioned that the 13 NGOs had, during their meeting with the Chief Minister and other State government officials on April 29 last, proposed a “comprehensive mechanism” to combat illegal immigration into Meghalaya.
The NGOs’ proposal comprised of at least ten points to structure a mechanism in line with the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873. The proposals included an ILP-like permit based on spot entry and setting up of counters to check and issue permits to people from outside when they wish to enter the State.
Under the proposed mechanism, everyone entering the State would have to produce the permit to the authorities concerned like the village Dorbar.
Central government employees and outstation students would be given a one-time permit which would be valid till they complete their studies or their term in the State.
The NGOs had also proposed strong measures to detect and check benami transactions in the State.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had earlier welcomed the proposal of the NGOs as “implementable”.
According to him, the State Government would structure and shape the comprehensive mechanism in a manner that it does not come into conflict with any existing law passed by the Parliament or without coming into conflict with any of the provision enshrined in the Constitution in respect to Fundamental Rights of a citizen.