Shillong, Aug 30: Several non-tribals were apprehended after they failed to produce valid documents during a checking drive conducted by Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in the Laban area on Friday.
During the operation, activists were deployed at various locations, including Red Cross, Iewdak (under Laban dorbar), Mynsian Ranab, Cliford Nongrum road (under KOR dorbar), and the taxi point under Lumshatsngi dorbar shnong.
Out of 58 individuals apprehended, 22 were found to be without valid documents.
The KSU discovered that most of those detained were Muslim refugees from Assam and other states, staying in rented houses without informing the local dorbar shnong.
“It was also found that Muslim residents of Laban and Lower Lumparing were providing rented accommodations to these individuals,” said Jason Laloo, General Secretary of the KSU Laban Circle in a statement issued on Saturday.
“This has prompted the KSU to conduct further checking at Three Pine Colony (Laban) which has around 80 to 100 muslim families. It was found many of these families have provided accomodation to these muslim refugees from Assam,” he stated.
The KSU has issued a strict warning against providing rental accommodations to Muslim refugees from Assam and other states.
“We also issue a warning to leaders of Masjid/Mosque that they should not provide accommodations to Muslim refugees from Assam and other states,” said Laloo.
“We have decided to further intensify our checking drive, and if anyone is found providing rental accommodations to such refugees, we will take stern action against them,” he added.
The apprehended individuals were handed over to the Laban police station for necessary action as per law.