By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 30: Out of 58 individuals rounded up during a checking drive by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in Laban on Friday, 22 were found without valid documents and were subsequently handed over to Laban police for necessary legal action.
The operation was conducted across multiple points.
Members of the KSU stated that many of those detained were suspected refugees from Assam and other states, most of them Muslims, who were living in rented houses without informing the local dorbar shnong.
According to general secretary of the KSU Laban Circle, Jason Laloo, the drive further extended to Three Pine Colony in Laban, where it was found that between 80 and 100 Muslim families had provided rented accommodation to these settlers.
“It was also found that Muslim residents of Laban and Lower Lumparing were providing rented accommodations to these individuals,” Laloo said in a statement on Saturday.
He added that the organisation has issued a strict warning to local landlords and religious leaders against renting out homes or facilities to such refugees.
“We have issued a warning to leaders of Masjid/Mosque that they should not provide accommodation to Muslim refugees from Assam and other states. If anyone is found doing so, we will take stern action,” Laloo cautioned.
The KSU has made it clear that the checking drives will intensify in the coming days, with a focus on monitoring suspected influx and holding accountable those aiding settlers without proper documentation.