SHILLONG: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has raised suspicions that persons who were not recognize as Indian citizens in the first draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam might cross over to the neighboring state of Meghalaya.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, general secretary of KSU, Donald Thabah reiterated the union’s stand against illegal immigrants warning that they will resort to stern measures to prevent illegal immigrants from residing in the state.
The union has urged the state government to put in place stringent measures to check the illegal immigrants and take a cue from neighboring states of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam by strengthening security and paramilitary forces in the border areas.
On the other hand, the union has urged the engagement of traditional heads to fight against influx of immigrants, especially those in the border areas to be vigilant.
Stating that Meghalaya has a population of 29.67 lakhs in which 14 lakhs are Khasis as per the 2011 census, Thabah asserted that tribal people would be reduced to minority with the influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, Nepal and other parts of the country.
With regard to the amendment of Citizenship Act to make way for granting Indian citizenship to Bangladeshi Hindus, the KSU opposed the move as it recalled the incidents that took place in 1971 when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi allowed Bangladeshis enter India during the Bangladesh Liberation War 1971, in Rynjah.