194 out of 658 B’deshi nationals detected in M’laya have been deported since 2021: Prestone Tynsong
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 17: The state government on Tuesday said that the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, has been implemented in selected localities of East Khasi Hills as part of strengthened measures to monitor the movement of people and curb illegal immigration.
These measures have helped the state detect 658 Bangladeshi nationals staying illegally since 2021.
Replying to a call attention motion in the Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home, Prestone Tynsong, stated that “from 2021 till 03.02.2026, a total of 658 Bangladeshi nationals were detected in the state and prosecuted under relevant legal provisions.”
He said that “during the same period, 194 Bangladeshi nationals were deported after completion of their sentences and upon obtaining the requisite travel permits from the Bangladesh Embassy.”
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the government has constituted a state-level committee to monitor the detection, identification and deportation of overstaying foreigners, and has put in place a comprehensive, multi-layered anti-infiltration mechanism through the Anti-Infiltration Directorate and District Police Units.
“At present, 18 Anti-Infiltration Check Posts, check gates and a Land Customs Station are operational at strategic locations along the inter-state and Indo-Bangladesh borders,” he said.
These are supplemented by Anti-Infiltration Special Squads in all districts, which conduct regular anti-infiltration drives, surprise NAKA checks and patrolling in vulnerable areas, in coordination with the Labour Department, Village Defence Parties (VDPs) and local authorities.
Further, Tynsong said that “11 District Task Forces have been constituted across the State to detect and deport illegal foreign nationals through regular checking and coordinated enforcement involving other departments.”
He added that the provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs are being strictly followed to combat illegal immigration.
Appealing for cooperation, he said the government urges “all organisations and citizens to cooperate with the authorities and allow verification to be carried out through lawful means, so that genuine Indian citizens are not harassed, while at the same time ensuring that illegal infiltration is firmly dealt with in accordance with the relevant provisions of law.”
Earlier in the day, the Opposition VPP pressed the state government to clarify the measures taken to prevent illegal influx from neighbouring Bangladesh, warning that failure to act decisively could embolden future violations in a sensitive border state like Meghalaya. Moving a call attention motion under Rule 50 of the Rules of Procedure in the State Assembly, VPP MLA from Mawryngkneng, Heavingstone Kharpran, drew attention to a report dated December 17, 2025, concerning the arrest of ten suspected Bangladeshi nationals who were allegedly headed for work in East Jaintia Hills.
Kharpran referred the matter to the House and sought a response from the Deputy Chief Minister. He pointed out that, according to the report, the individuals were found carrying police verification documents issued from Silchar in Assam and claimed to be residents of Assam. However, he noted that it was alarming that none of them could reportedly speak Hindi or Assamese, casting doubt on their claims.
He further observed that, at the time of investigation, the individuals did not possess valid labour licences. What raised deeper concern, he said, was that labour licences were allegedly issued within a few hours after police verification, prompting questions about the robustness and credibility of the verification mechanism.
Stressing that Meghalaya is a border state, Kharpran underlined that such incidents highlight the urgent need to implement existing laws to regulate entry and employment. He noted that in recent months, political instability in the neighbouring country had heightened the risk of cross-border movement, and cautioned that similar instabilities in the future could lead to repeated incidents if preventive systems were not strengthened.
The VPP legislator maintained that effective implementation of the MRSSA could have aided in monitoring and regulating the entry and stay of non-residents. He sought clarification from the government on whether the MRSSA has been enforced or is likely to be enforced, and what specific steps have been taken to strengthen labour licence verification processes, including coordination with neighbouring states.
Kharpran also acknowledged the role of an NGO in detecting the case and bringing it to light. He urged the government to act decisively to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.
