Pressure groups slam delay in setting up of facilitation centres
NONGPOH: Pro-ILP pressure groups on Wednesday inspected the proposed location for setting up of facilitation centres for entry and exit points in Ri Bhoi district as part of the comprehensive mechanism to tackle influx and illegal immigrants. The inspection was jointly carried out by the pro-ILP groups along with officials from Ri Bhoi District Administration which included Ri Bhoi ADC (Revenue) D.P Kharsati and EAC (Revenue) Jonathan Shylla including Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Meghalaya Institute of Governance, Aiban Swer. The pro-ILP group consisted of KSU president Daniel Khyriem, general secretary Auguster Jyrwa, KSU NKHD president F. Kharkamni, FKJGP president Joe Mar wein and HNYF president G.H Kharshanlor, among others. The three locations inspected by the visiting team included 19 Mer as entry point and 18 Mer and 12 Mer as exit points. The proposed plot of land for setting up of the entry and exit point is yet to be acquired by the government. Ri Bhoi ADC (Revenue) informed that the inspection was conducted jointly with the pressure groups to help them identify the locations for entry and exit point for speedy implementation of the same in the State. The official also informed that the Social Impact Assessment conducted by the Meghalaya Institute of Governance has been completed and the same has been forwarded to the State government He informed that the finding had revealed some issues like selection of a hilly piece of land for entry point whereas for the exit point the plot of land selected is only two acres. However, the final decision in this regard will be taken by the government after examining the inspection report of Wednesday, he added. KSU president Daniel Khyriem and FKJGP president Joe Marwein, later, said they were concerned over the slow implementation of the entry and exit points in Ri Bhoi which is the gateway to the State. They further informed that implementation of these felicitation centres for entry and exit points in the State will go a long way in helping the government curb influx as well as curbing women and child trafficking from the State. The facilitation centres will be linked with the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act 2016 and Meghalaya Benami Transactions Prohibition (Amendment) Act 2016 as part of the comprehensive mechanism to tackle influx.
