SHILLONG, July 25: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has accused the state government of manufactur-ing excuses to delay the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), citing RTI replies that suggest neither the Ministry of Home Affairs nor the Judiciary are currently obstructing the implementa-tion of entry-exit points.
KSU General Secretary Reuben Najiar, on Saturday, stated that while the government has repeatedly claimed the matter is pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and tied up in litigation, RTI re-sponses contradict these assertions.
According to the union, the MHA reported having no information related to the matter since 2016. Furthermore, Najiar claimed that the High Court case previously cited as a legal hurdle has already been disposed of and no longer poses an obstacle to establishing facilitation centres.
The union contends the government is using the 2019 amendment—which remains stalled awaiting Presidential assent due to constitutional concerns—as a smokescreen to avoid enforcing the original 2016 Act.
Unlike the amendment, the 2016 Act is already law and provides the necessary framework to activate check-gates, such as the proposed facilitation centre at Umling.
Najiar claimed there is a noticeable rise in influx into Meghalaya, which he attributed to ongoing eviction drives in neighbouring Assam and West Bengal. He argued that the state’s failure to implement the 2016 Act leaves the border vulnerable to these external developments.
“Claims made by sections of the government are misleading the public,” Najiar said, adding that the KSU would now engage with Dorbar Shnongs and other stakeholders to press for the immediate activation of the 2016 law.
The union also clarified that while it continues to demand the implementation of the MRSSA, the Act is not a substitute for the Inner Line Permit (ILP). Najiar maintained that only the ILP possesses the legal framework required to fully regulate entry into the state, and a state law cannot replace it.
