SHILLONG, Aug 28: United Democratic Party MLA Synshar Kupar Lyngdoh Thabah on Wednesday sought better regulation of tourism and immigration while stating that the indigenous people in the state will be reduced to minorities in their backyard if illegal immigration is not checked.
“Meghalaya attracts many tourists from the country and abroad. We should look at the tourist inflow and focus on the exit points. As tourism booms, we need a law to regulate entry and exit points of our state,” he said during a short-duration discussion on improving the tourism sector.
Emphasising the need for comprehensive regulations to manage both tourism and immigration effectively in the state, Thabah highlighted the state’s growing appeal to domestic and international tourists. He pointed out that the exit points and immigration control are as crucial as the inflow of tourists.
He raised concerns about the unregulated entry of illegal immigrants, which he said threatens the demographic balance and cultural identity of the indigenous communities.
“Power in Tripura is in the hands of the non-indigenous people of the state thanks to influx and illegal immigration. If illegal immigration or illegal tourism continues and is not addressed by effective laws, the indigenous people of our state will be reduced to minorities,” he observed.
Drawing comparisons with Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur, Thabah noted that these states have implemented systems to regulate tourists and the entry of migrants, requiring prior permission and thorough checks.
He criticised the current system in Meghalaya, where there are issues with undocumented immigrants entering the state and working for lower wages, contributing to local unemployment. He stressed that Meghalaya’s long border with Bangladesh exacerbates these problems, with immigrants attempting to cross through the unguarded points.
“The political problem is that Bangladesh is a big threat to our state and the country. We should know that Meghalaya shares the fifth longest international border in the world and the immigrants try their luck every day to enter our state from any unguarded,” he said.
Referring to a recent incident, he said, “Why are tourists being stopped mid-way to check their paper? I don’t blame anyone but the government has to implement the law.”
Thabah called for stricter implementation of laws and regulations, including the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873, which the Assembly had endorsed.
He proposed the implementation of the Inner Line Permit as a solution, suggesting it would offer a robust framework for controlling immigration and safeguarding the interests of the local population.
He urged the government to address these issues promptly to ensure the safety, security, and economic well-being of the residents of Meghalaya.
