SHILLONG: United Democratic Party (UDP) has decided to constitute a committee to study the issue of illegal immigration and dubious voters in the state and come up with suggestions to the state government on how to deal with the problem.
Talking to media persons after special CEC of the party here on Tuesday, UDP general secretary, Jemino Mawthoh pointed out that the issue needs to be dealt a bit deeper since there were many political and social implications
Informing that the enrollment of the dubious voters in the electoral roll and a host of other related issues will be deliberated by the committee, Mawthoh further added that the proposal would be presented before the State Government after soliciting the views of the party leaders and workers at the grass root level
On the fall out of publication of final draft NRC in Assam, he said that the party had decided to take up the matter with all the partners in the MDA
“We would like the government to take a call on this very serious and sensitive issue,” the UDP general secretary said.
When asked if they support the demand for updated NRC in the State, he said that the party supported the idea brought forward by the state government since there was a definite need to have some kind of mechanism to keep a check as to the doubtful citizens.
While pointing out that the various political parties and pressure groups had suggested various mechanisms to deal with this problem in the past, Mawthoh, however, asserted that the party wanted a mechanism which is comprehensive, realistic and practical.
“The mechanism suggested should not be touching only in one part. It needs to be dealt with very comprehensively. This issue has been lingering for so many decades. We need to be realistic and think about the best mechanism we can bring about,” he said.
Asserting that the need to bring a comprehensive mechanism was not about discriminating others, Mawthoh said that it was about safeguarding and protecting the communities who are residing in Meghalaya.
