Shillong, Nov 21: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Thursday demanded the state government to maintain proper records of refugees from Manipur coming to Meghalaya due to the ongoing turmoil in their state.
At the same time, the HYC also demanded the government to conduct surveys and keep proper records of residents residing under the Shillong Cantonment Board and to de-recognise all self-styled committees/Councils and bestowed powers to the local traditional institutions for administration of such areas.
In a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, RM Kurbah, HYC president Roykupar Synrem expressed concern over the prevailing situations in the State of Manipur which has been on the turmoil for the last 17 months and appreciated the efforts of the state government and all concerned in providing reliefs and shelters to all those affected by the on-going conflict in Manipur.
“However, as an organisation we are also of the opinion that in the interest of our community, proper records of the movement of these Refugees are maintained by the Administration and the concern authorities and as and when the situation in Manipur returns to normalcy, these Refugees be sent back accordingly,” he said.
“This is also keeping in mind of the fact that some criminal elements may take advantage of the situation and make Shillong and Meghalaya as their safe haven for criminal activities especially trafficking of drugs and other psychotropic substances, if no proper records are kept of the movement of these people into the State,” Synrem added.
Also asserting the need to maintain records of people residing in Shillong Cantonment Area, the HYC leader alleged that some areas falling under the Shillong Cantonment Board have become a hub of illegal activities like supply and trafficking of illicit drugs in the city and also a safe haven for illegal immigrants into the State.
According to him, the area falling under Cantonment Board or the Defence Estate Officer is outside the jurisdiction of Local traditional institutions and as such the movement of people is left unchecked and unregulated.
This is evident from recent incidents like the Lum Survey area, where 80-100 households were illegally staying in that particular land and the recent arrest of drug dealers from the Cantonment area as well as various reports of drug peddling and illegal immigration.
He also stated it is also a cause of concern that there are some self-styled committees/Councils falling under the Cantonment Board who are issuing certificates, etc. to the people residing there for enrolment in the Electoral Roll and other purposes, which poses serious threat to the safety and security of the local indigenous community.
“Hence, steps should be taken to regulate the movement of people into the Cantonment areas, to conduct the survey of all the residents under the Cantonment Board for proper records and to de-recognised all self-styled committees/Councils and bestowed powers to the local traditional institutions for administration of such areas,” Synrem demanded.
