By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 24: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizations (CoMSO) has fired a warning shot across the state’s borders, declaring that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal and the fresh scrutiny in Assam are pushing waves of illegal migrants straight into Meghalaya.
CoMSO chairman Roy Kupar Synrem warned that the unchecked influx could endanger the security, public order, and legal rights of citizens in Meghalaya.
He emphasised that the state government is legally empowered—and obligated—under various laws and administrative provisions to regulate entry, conduct verification, and implement measures to prevent any threat to public order.
“Given the current circumstances, inaction or delayed action could amount to an administrative failure with significant implications for internal security and lawful governance,” Synrem stated.
West Bengal’s Phase II SIR, launched on November 4, has already stripped thousands of dubious entries from the rolls and triggered a quiet exodus. In Assam, the Election Commission’s “special revision” order of November 17 has rekindled memories of the NRC nightmare that left nearly 20 lakh people stateless six years ago.
This is giving rise to fears that these illegal migrants might slip into Meghalaya from both West Bengal and Assam.
Synrem demanded a series of immediate statutory interventions, including regulation or restriction of entry from affected states until verification and risk assessment are completed, mandatory registration and identity verification for all arrivals from West Bengal and Assam and deployment of police and district administration officials at all major entry points to enforce compliance.
It also demanded activation of emergency coordination mechanisms with directives to DCs, SPs, and border authorities, issuance of a formal government order detailing administrative steps, legal basis, and expectations for public cooperation and interstate coordination to prevent undocumented movement into Meghalaya.
Calling it a matter of public safety and legal responsibility, Synrem said the people expect the government to act swiftly and decisively.
“The situation calls for firm, lawful action without delay and within the full framework of the law,” he added.
