NONGPOH, April 12: Traditional heads of Raid Amjong, a region under the jurisdiction of Hima Khyrim in Ri-Bhoi, along with the leaders of three pressure groups — Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya People Social Organisation (MPSO), and Meghalaya People United Front (MPUF) — have expressed concern over the growing population of Bangladeshi refugees settling at the refugee colony in Amdubighat and Panbari villages.
This was highlighted when the traditional heads of Raid Amjong and pressure group leaders visited the refugee colony and Panbari village on Tuesday. They witnessed that the number of houses in the refugee colony had increased from 40 in 1963 to 100 at present.
Additionally, a new village named Panbari with 15 houses consisting of illegal Bangladeshis has come up without the knowledge of the Raid, Hima Khyrim, or even the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, they alleged.
According to the traditional heads of Raid Amjong, around 40 houses of Bangladeshis were granted rights by Hima Khyrim to settle at the refugee colony situated at Amdubighat village in 1963, provided they renew their documents every year and pay the required fees to the Hima Khyrim.
However, a new village named Panbari with 15 households has also come up, occupied by illegal Bangladeshis without any proper documents or authorisation from Raid Amjong, Hima Khyrim, and even KHADC. The village has been in existence for almost six years, the leaders informed.
In light of these developments, the traditional heads of Raid Amjong and the leaders of the three pressure groups have demanded that Hima Khyrim and the KHADC take immediate steps to ensure that these refugees are under the administration of Amdubighat village and Raid Amjong. The groups expressed their concern about the growing population of Bangladeshi refugees and illegal settlers in the area, which they believe is causing tension and disrupting the region’s social fabric.
The issue of illegal immigrants settling in Meghalaya has been a long-standing issue.
The state government and authorities have been taking steps to address the issue and curb illegal immigration, but the problem persists. This latest incident has once again brought the issue to the forefront, and it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the demands of the traditional heads of Raid Amjong and the pressure groups.
