TURA: After Khasi Hills NGOs had expressed their views, the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) in Garo Hills on Thursday also resented Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s suggestion to issue work permits to Bangladeshi Nationals.
The federation said that the suggestion made by the CM was not acceptable as it would have far reaching consequences with the potential to permanently alter the demography of Garo Hills and the state in general.
“Since decades Garo Hills has been witnessing aggressive demographic changes especially in the plain belt areas of West Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills Districts. The Plain Belt areas have been overrun by Bengali Speaking Muslims and they have been settling even in “A.khing Lands” which falls under the purview of Land Transfer Act of 1972,” the federation said.
Citing the encroachment of Boldamgre A’kingland under Hallidaganj/Singgimari police station, the federation said that despite information being given to the GHADC on such issues, it had failed to contain illegal encroachment till date. It added that if Conrad was really committed in containing illegal influx, he should first look into the case and speed-up the setting up of entry and exit points at the earliest. “The people of Meghalaya have endured much during the demand for ILP in 2013 after which, the NGOs and the then government came to an agreement to implement the comprehensive mechanism which comprises of amendments to Benami Act, introduction of Salami Act, the Meghalaya Residence Bill and setting up of entry-exit points,” the federation said.
“If any other mechanism is worth any discussion or contemplation with regard to the issue, it is Inner Line Permit and we are ever ready to discuss on the issue,” it said.
