TURA, Jan 23: In the aftermath of the brutal mob killing of a CSO leader at Rajabala in West Garo Hills, former GHADC MDC from Kharkutta Smith Momin has raised with the government, the urgent need to implement the Special Identification Register (SIR) in the plain belt areas of West and South West Garo Hills.
“The plain belt regions of West Garo Hills and South West Garo hills district have, over the years, witnessed unchecked and unverified population growth. Indigenous residents have repeatedly expressed concern over the increasing presence of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. This issue has serious implications not only for law and order but also for land rights, social harmony, and constitutional protections guaranteed to tribal areas,” Momin said, in a release.
Momin recalled the apprehension of Bangladeshi nationals by the BSF in the recent past to make his point.
“On July 14, 2025, BSF apprehended 26 Bangladeshis attempting illegal entry near the West Garo Hills border, with the involvement of Indian facilitators. Earlier, on February 4, 2025, nine illegal immigrants were arrested in West Garo Hills, and on March 18, 2025, three more were intercepted near the same border. Official data further indicates that between April and July 2025 alone, BSF arrested 116 Bangladeshi nationals across Meghalaya,” Momin said.
Reminding that the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act, 1972 clearly prohibits the transfer or occupation of tribal land by non-tribals without lawful permission, Momin however, said that the continued presence of illegal settlers had weakened the enforcement of this law seriously undermining the protection of tribal land.
“The legal authority to act already exists. The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, framed under the Citizenship Act, 1955, empowers states to identify illegal immigrants. Article 355 of the Constitution mandates the State to protect citizens from internal threats, while the Sixth Schedule provides special safeguards for tribal land and identity in Meghalaya,” he added.
Setting the example of Assam which initiated verification and identification drives to address illegal immigration, which have proven effective in identifying illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, Momin urged the Government of Meghalaya to adopt a similar approach.
“A transparent, lawful, SIR exercise would help identify illegal immigrants, protect tribal land rights, prevent misuse of welfare schemes, and restore public confidence. I appeal to the government of Meghalaya to initiate the SIR process in the plain belt areas of West Garo Hills without delay, in the larger interest of constitutional responsibility and longterm peace,” Momin said.
