By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 27: In what can be deemed a significant move to bolster Meghalaya’s internal and external security, the state government has adopted a dual strategy involving both physical vigilance on the ground and legislative manoeuvring.
Whilst the state government has ordered the reactivation of the Village Defence Party (VDP) amid concerns over instability in Bangladesh, it has also referred the central Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, to legal experts so as to explore provisions akin to the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday outlined this comprehensive approach, which aims to address the persistent demand for checking influx and ensuring border safety.
Tynsong told reporters that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has already made it clear that the state government is actively examining the scope of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, passed by Parliament, to see whether mechanisms akin to the ILP can be utilised to regulate the movement of people and strengthen safeguards for the state.
“The detailed provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, have been referred to the Advocate General and a team of legal experts for a thorough examination,” Tynsong said, indicating that the government is proceeding cautiously to ensure that any step taken is legally sound and constitutionally valid.
Clarifying the state’s position on the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, he said it is very much in force and that district-level task forces, headed by the respective Deputy Commissioners, have already been activated across the state.
He informed that efforts are underway to further strengthen the implementation mechanism in all districts, with special emphasis on Shillong, where the system, he said, is fully functional.
Addressing concerns and criticisms surrounding the MRSSA, Tynsong explained that while the 2016 Act is being implemented, a key limitation existed in the original principal legislation. “There was no provision in the original Act for setting up entry and exit points, which prevented its full implementation,” he said.
According to him, this shortcoming prompted the state government to introduce and pass an amendment bill in the state Assembly to address the issue. However, he added that the amendment bill was subsequently referred by the then Governor to the Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration.
Despite this, Tynsong reiterated that the state government has not abandoned the implementation of the MRSSA.
“The Act is being implemented, but legally speaking, entry and exit points cannot be established unless such provisions exist in the original Act,” he clarified.
Further, the state government has also decided to reactivate the VDP along both international and inter-state borders to strengthen vigilance amid concerns over the prevailing situation in Bangladesh.
Tynsong said it is a precautionary measure, aimed at enhancing ground-level preparedness.
Replying to a query, he said providing arms to the VDP members is not being considered at this stage.
Instead, he added, the focus would be on imparting further training, assessing basic requirements and extending additional access and support to them so that they can effectively assist authorities in handling border-related issues.
Referring to the internal problems in Bangladesh, he said illegal immigration and international border management are national subjects and not state subjects. However, he said, the state government remains vigilant and proactive in safeguarding its borders.
Asked about the safety of residents along the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border, Tynsong emphasised that the situation is very much under control. He said Border Security Force (BSF), state police and district administrations intensified joint vigilance, with enhanced patrolling being carried out to prevent any untoward incidents.
Turning to the Meghalaya-Assam border issue, particularly the recent incident at Maikhuli, Tynsong said that such tensions are not unusual in border areas and often arise due to misunderstanding. “As of now, the situation is not out of control,” he said, adding that similar incidents occur in different places from time to time.
He said there has been a noticeable improvement in managing and resolving border-related disputes after the two states constituted regional committees.
Referring to the Maikhuli incident, Tynsong said that residents of Assam had initially objected to the erection of an electric pole in the area.
Subsequently, the deputy commissioner was instructed to hold discussions with his counterpart, and peace committees comprising representatives from the villages concerned were also constituted.
“As a result of these coordinated efforts, the issue was resolved amicably, and the erection of the electric pole was eventually permitted by Assam,” he said.
On the prevailing situation in Rajabala after the killing of an ACHIK member, he said the area is currently calm and peaceful. He also said that the Deputy Commissioner has been directed to constitute a peace committee.
He further stated that more than six arrests were made in connection with the Rajabala case.
He maintained that the law would take its own course, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
