SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party has decided to constitute a committee to study the issue of illegal immigration and dubious voters in the state and come up with suggestions for the state government on how to deal with the problem.
Talking to media persons after special central executive committee meeting of the party here on Tuesday, UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said the issue needs to be dealt with thoroughly as there are many political and social implications of it.
The committee will also take up enrolment of dubious voters in the electoral rolls and a host of other related issues. It will send a proposal to the state government after soliciting views of the party leaders and workers at the grassroots level.
On the impact of the NRC in Assam, Mawthoh said the party would 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,” he added.
On the demand for an NRC-like exercise in the state, Mawthoh said the party supports the idea because “there is a definite need to have some kind of mechanism to keep a check on doubtful citizens”. UDP wants a comprehensive, realistic and practical mechanism to check influx and not something that will focus on one part of the problem.
“This issue has been lingering on 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 is not about discriminating against others, Mawthoh said it is about safeguarding and protecting the communities who are residing in Meghalaya.
