SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has asked HS Shylla to explain how the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, facilitates influx of illegal migrants into the state.
Sangma, while replying to a query about the KHADC chief executive member’s observation, said, “That is something that he has to explain but that is not the case at all. It has been well-thought-out, well-planned and worked out, I think that is an issue he has to explain why he said that.”
The chief minister also rejected Shylla’s claim that implementation of inner line permit was under the purview of the KHADC. “ILP is neither within the jurisdiction of the district council nor the state and Parliament has to decide on the matter.”
“Different government bodies can express their concerns about it but ultimately the Government of India will have to pass an Act of Parliament,” he said.
Sangma asserted that issue will always remain infiltration and there are mechanisms to check it and not to focus on ILP as the issue.
“But our commitment and focus are very clear that we are working towards ensuring that our people are protected. Focus on the core issue, i.e. influx and how we can fight in today’s world,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) president Robertjune Kharjahrin said the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act “will facilitate visitors in the state that leads to influx”.
HYC along with 12 other pressure groups like RBSU, CoRP, HANM, WKSU, RBSU and EJNC had a separate meeting with Sangma in the evening.
Criticising the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, Kharjahrin said it is not strong.