By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 20: The authorities in the border areas of Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district are on high alert to prevent a spillover of the intensified eviction drives against illegal settlers in Assam.
Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said the situation in the district has been under control, but the administration has stepped up surveillance along the border.
“The administration has increased the border area vigil, the nakas have been made more robust, and the anti-infiltration teams are working in full strength. We do not expect much fallout from the eviction drive going on in Assam,” he said.
Baranwal underlined the crucial role played by traditional institutions.
“Having a very robust Dorbar Shnong also helps if there is any intrusion anywhere. Not everyone is expected to come through the highways, and the dorbar shnongs have been alerted to the possibility of infiltration. Anyway, nobody can be there (border areas) without their knowledge. We are in constant touch with them,” he said.
Officials said 10-15 people trying to cross into Meghalaya without proper documents are being caught daily at the Anti-Infiltration Check Gate in Byrnihat.
The officer-in-charge of the check gate, Morken L. Mawlong, recently confirmed that such attempts are linked to Assam’s ongoing eviction operations.
He said two categories of people are usually stopped—travellers using Meghalaya as a transit corridor and labourers intending to stay and work in the state. “For travellers, we check Aadhaar, voter ID, or passport. If they have valid proof of Indian citizenship, they are allowed entry. For labourers, we verify labour cards, voter IDs, or Aadhaar. If proper documents are missing, they are sent back,” he explained.
However, challenges remain. Mawlong admitted that a lack of space at the check gate hampers smooth checking and often leads to congestion. “It is very difficult to carry out checks efficiently due to the small area. Still, we are working hard,” he said..
The district administration has assured that coordinated efforts with both enforcement agencies and local institutions will continue to ensure that illegal entrants do not take advantage of the situation.
HYC detects 900 illegal migrants during checking
Since August 14, the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has detected over 900 individuals who are unable to produce valid documents at two infiltration check gates in Byrnihat and Ratacherra. The organisation aims to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the state in search of jobs or committing crimes.
HYC president, Roy Kupar Synrem, stated that the situation has worsened due to the Assam government’s eviction drive against illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries.
Synrem noted that Meghalaya is a safe haven for these immigrants, as the state lacks strong legislation to deal with influx and illegal immigrants.
Other states in the region, like Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland, have legislation like the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to deal with influx and illegal immigrants.
“How many people have managed to enter the state by avoiding the checks conducted by the members at the two check points remains a question,” he said, noting that there are serious flaws in the Meghalaya Identification, Registration of Migrant Workers Act, 2020, with one person getting a labour registration card from East Jaintia Hills, valid until August 31, 2026.
The HYC president also noted that many people are trying to enter the state with the acknowledgement slip for the labour registration card without possessing valid documents to prove they are genuine Indian citizens.
If nothing is done, the state will suffer due to the entry of illegal immigrants from various parts of the country and even outside the border, he warned.