SHILLONG, NOV 3: Ten pressure groups and civil society organisations on Tuesday gave a 30-day ultimatum to the Meghalaya government to implement existing laws to check influx, warning of public agitation if demands are not met.
In a joint memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the organisations sought clarification on failure to implement the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act 2016, Entry and Exit Points, Meghalaya Identification Registration (Safety and Security) of Migrant Workers Act 2020, border issues and Meghalaya Benami Transactions Prohibition and Detection Act.
“We express deep concern over the delay and slow progress of the State Government in implementing various laws meant to protect our indigenous community from being overwhelmed by outsiders who enter our state in different guises,” the memorandum said.
The groups said the laws are already in place to protect minority indigenous communities from being overrun by people from outside, whether from neighbouring states or neighbouring countries.
“However, the State government’s lack of political will to enforce and stringently implement these laws poses a grave threat to indigenous people, including Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo communities,” they said.
Reiterating demands raised since 2013-14 to safeguard socio-economic and political interests of Meghalaya people, the organisations said failure to act will leave them no option.
“We give the state government a 30-day ultimatum to implement these existing laws. Failing this, we as collective body will have no choice but to launch public agitation if Government continues to remain silent on these legitimate demands,” they said.
The memorandum was signed by leaders of Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People, Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front, Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation, Jaintia Students Union, Garo Students Union, A-Chik Youth Welfare Organisation, Association for Democracy and Empowerment, Federation for A-Chik Freedom, All A-Chik Youth Welfare Society and A-Chik Holistic Awakening Movement.
