GH bodies urge govt to monitor illegal influx

SHILLONG: West Garo Hills police have asked officers in charge of different police stations  to maintain close communication with Assam especially with regard to joint inspections and naka checkings.
The directives have been issued following claims made by NGOs concerning the rising crime in the region especially against women and children due to unabated infux of outsiders.
Recently, several organisations from Garo Hills had urged the state government to effectively check influx into the region and to evict migrant encroachers from government lands.
Sources informed that the infiltration special squad of the police department is also conducting specific raids
In addition, the Labour department has also directed the state police to ensure that migrant labourers who come to Garo Hills seeking job opportunities need to verify themselves at the nearest police station as well as the labour office.
West Garo Hills police are now examining the modalities on how to implement the directive. It was also informed that as per the directive, when migrant labourers leave and find work in other places, they need to inform the police as to where will they will be working.
According to sources, even the intelligence unit of the police is active due to the fact that the police coordinate with the local village authorities who immediately report any criminal activities.
Recently, leaders of organisations from the region including the GSMC, GSU, CEC, AIGU and All A’chik Youth Welfare Society (AAYWS) met Home Minister James K Sangma in Shillong and submitted a memorandum urging him to look into the matter.
The NGOs said that unabated influx of illegal migrants has led to the rise in crimes like rape, kidnapping and others.
Earlier, Phulbari MLA and NPP leader SG Esmatur Mominin had blamed the Assam-based gangs operating in Garo Hills for the growth in criminal activities in the region.