By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 1: Labour Minister Shakliar Warjri on Monday disclosed that several forged documents were recovered from workers in the state.
Calling it a “very wrong” act, he said the Labour Department will file an FIR to ensure accountability, stressing that whoever was involved must be held responsible.
Warjri said the matter came to light during a departmental review meeting. He said the documents in question were never issued by his department. He added that the state cannot afford to compromise on security.
Amid rising instances of pressure groups taking matters into their own hands and checking the licences of labourers, the Minister stressed that the Labour Department itself is now conducting thorough checks across the state.
He said inspections will be held regularly and that, after every three months, he will personally review the actions of labour inspectors to ensure vigilance. “We will not spare such things because we will not compromise on the safety of our state,” Warjri asserted.
In recent months, the pressure groups carried out surprise raids, forcing undocumented labourers to leave the state. Many of them were reported to be illegal Bangladeshi nationals.
The pressure groups gained public support with their actions which came close on the heels of Assam’s intensified eviction drives against suspected illegal settlers, fuelling public concerns in Meghalaya over their possible influx into the state.
The Labour Department’s official data underscores the magnitude of the issue. As of 2024, altogether 93,283 migrant workers registered themselves under the system that was introduced in 2021 to ensure legal accountability and security.
East Khasi Hills leads with 41,242 registered workers, followed by East Jaintia Hills with 29,932, Ri Bhoi – 10,138, West Khasi Hills – 3,820, West Jaintia Hills – 3,575, South West Khasi Hills – 2,858, West Garo Hills – 782, North Garo Hills – 372, South Garo Hills – 326, East Garo Hills – 183, and South West Garo Hills – 55.
Officials confirmed that the registration drive is ongoing, with more detailed figures to be made public after the Minister’s review.
Warjri, meanwhile, maintained that the state machinery is closely monitoring the situation and will not hesitate to act against those involved in fabricating documents.