From Our Correspondent
Tura, March 5: Yet another group has now alleged that influx issues prevail in the plain-belt constituencies, while seeking stronger measures to control the situation.
In a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the Constitutional Rights Forum (CRF) sought the attention of the government on illegal immigrants into Meghalaya and the need for effective implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016.
“The influx of illegal immigrants is altering Meghalaya’s demography, with some constituencies bordering lower Assam showing a significant change in population dynamics. In this regard, stricter measures need to be taken,” stated the CRF.
The CRF felt the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Meghalaya needed to be implemented to identify and deport illegal immigrants, similar to the initiative taken in Assam. Further investigations need to be undertaken in Raksamgre, Tikrikilla, Phulbari, Rajabala, Selsella, Ampati, Mahendraganj and other plain-belt constituencies to identify and cancel dual voters in Meghalaya and Assam.
“The effective implementation of the MRSS Act, 2016 is a must to monitor and regulate the movement of people within the state. These have been long pending demands that we hope will be fulfilled in your tenure with the utmost importance and urgency,” the group said.
Earlier, a new local group from Nongalbibra, South Garo Hills, called ‘GOERA’, had raised concerns over the alleged influx of non-tribals into South Garo Hills.
According to the Garo Omniscience for Ethnic Renaissance and Awakening (GOERA), the entry of non-tribals claiming to be businessmen, whose credentials remain unverified, was growing in the region.