SHILLONG: The Khasi Students’ Union has urged the state government to put in place stringent measures to check illegal immigrants and take a cue from neighboring states of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam by strengthening security and paramilitary forces in the border areas.
The union has raised suspicions that persons who were not recognised as Indian citizens in the first draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam might have crossed over to Meghalaya.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, general secretary Donald Thabah reiterated the union’s stand against illegal immigrants warning that they will resort to stern measures to prevent influx in the state.
On the other hand, the union wanted the traditional heads to fight against influx of immigrants.
The union also said those in the border areas should be vigilant.
Stating that Meghalaya has a population of 29.67 lakh in which 14 lakh are Khasis as per the 2011 census, Thabah asserted that the tribals will be reduced to minority with the influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, Nepal and other places.
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 then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi allowed Bangladeshis to enter India during the Bangladesh Liberation War 1971 in Rynjah.
Meanwhile, the working president of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), Adelbert Nongrum, has said both tribals and non-tribals can together check influx of illegal immigrants into Meghalaya.
Addressing party functionaries of North Shillong at Dorbar Hall Mission Compound on Saturday, Nongrum expressed concern over migration from Assam after the draft National Register of Citizens was issued and denounced those politicians “who use illegal immigrants as their vote bank”. The KHNAM leader, who has been vocal about bringing amendments to rules to prevent non-tribals from taking part in district council elections, asserted that the regional party is not against genuine non-tribals who have been residing in Meghalaya for a long time.
Stating that KHNAM is not only a political party but also a political movement, Nongrum said the party strives to bring about changes in the society as per the aspirations of people. The party members observed a minute’s silence to mourn the demise of general secretary Batkupar Wahlang.
