From Our Correspondent
TURA, May 21: Raising public concern over the alleged illegal settlement of Bangladeshi nationals in the plain belt areas of West Garo Hills and in the Mendipathar area of North Garo Hills, the former MDC of Kharkutta constituency has sought the state government’s urgent attention in addressing the issue by initiating a comprehensive verification process of the illegal settlers.
In a statement issued to The Shillong Times, former MDC Smith Momin stated that the Bangladeshi immigrants allegedly entered the state illegally via Assam without proper documentation and their increasing presence is causing palpable unease among the indigenous residents.
“The unique cultural identity and demographic balance of Garo Hills, painstakingly preserved over generations, are increasingly vulnerable. Local indigenous communities are not just raising frivolous concerns; their anxieties stem from a deep connection to their land and a fear of the potential long-term ramifications of unchecked, undocumented immigration,” the statement read.
While acknowledging the Centre’s efforts to address illegal immigration at a national level, he emphasised that the situation in Garo Hills requires immediate and focused attention from the state government.
He said it was imperative that the state government initiate a swift and comprehensive verification process in the affected areas.
He, however, argued that the verification exercise must not be conducted in isolation.
“Active and meaningful participation of local indigenous communities—the A.chiks, who are traditional custodians of this land, and the other indigenous people—is crucial. Their intimate knowledge of the local dynamics is indispensable for an accurate and fair assessment of the situation,” he said, calling for a collaborative action between the state government, central government and local communities to ensure a just and effective outcome.
Stating that it is no longer time for complacency and that the persistent concerns voiced by the residents of Garo Hills can no longer be ignored, he implored the government to take immediate ande decisive action.
Momin also urged the government to launch an urgent and thorough verification process to ascertain the status of the alleged undocumented settlers in West Garo Hills, with full involvement of local indigenous communities at every stage of the process.
He then called for seamless coordination with the Centre to leverage their expertise and resources, and to uphold the laws of the land by taking appropriate measures in accordance with established legal frameworks.
Stating that the future of Garo Hills, its distinct identity and the harmonious coexistence of its people now hang in the balance, he expressed hope that the state government would respond with the urgency and seriousness that this critical issue demands.