SHILLONG: Irked at the idea mooted by Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma for issuing work permits to the Bangladeshi nationals, Meghalaya State Congress has decided to register protest against the whole idea which is perceived to have to detrimental effects on the microscopic population of indigenous community of the state.
Addressing a Press conference here on Thursday, Opposition Congress leader, Mukul Sangma said that the proposal of the Chief Minister would bring about unprecedented ramifications and usher in a disastrous future for the people of the state.
“With this proposal, we see insensitivity and lack of concern for the people of the state from the Chief Minister’s side,” Sangma told reporters, adding that the party would organise a protest against the proposal in Shillong and in Mendipathar on Saturday
Asserting that the NPP never made any indication of the proposals during the elections, Sangma maintained that the proposal could not even be discussed and thought of by the government.
Stating that the previous Government in the state had embarked upon several initiatives to address the concern of illegal immigration, the Opposition leader maintained that the new proposal would defeat the whole purpose of the endeavour of the previous Government.
“This proposal will have ramifications throughout the region and even in the whole country,” he said while adding that the Government is trying to come out with the proposal when the National Register of citizens is not completed and there is no system to differentiate a genuine citizens or the otherwise
“The Government is talking about the issuing work permit to the Bangladeshi nationals when our youths are compelled to migrate beyond the boundaries of the region for jobs,” he added
Making it clear that the Congress party would not allow the Government to issue permits for the Bangladeshi nationals, Sangma also questioned the Government as to whose idea it is to issue work permits to the Bangladeshi nationals.