Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma said that districts in the state like East Jaiñtia Hills, Ri-Bhoi, North Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills are “vulnerable” to movement of illegal immigrants while informing that he has been personally monitoring the situation in the state after the publication of draft NRC in Assam.
The chief minister’s comments came after the Khasi Students Union carried out checking to detect suspected illegal immigrants on Tuesday on national highways at three locations in three districts of the state – East Jaiñtia Hills, West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi – bordering Assam.
The Chief Minister however said that he was personally monitoring the situation in the state following the publication of the final draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam on Monday.
“I am personally monitoring the matter in the last two days. I have personally spoken to the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police instructing them to stay alert, and they have been submitting reports on a daily basis,” Conrad said.
Stating that the state government is on high alert, he said districts especially East Jaiñtia Hills, Ri-Bhoi, North Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills are considered to be “very vulnerable.”
“Check points in different locations of the state have been set up to prevent possible movement of suspected illegal immigrants into the state,” he said.
Asked about the setting up of check points by the KSU where its members managed to detect and sent back to Assam around 1500 persons who did not possess documents, Conrad said, “It is not appropriate for any non-government organization to get involved in the process. Every citizen of the state is concerned about the issue and they are also concerned about it and they have done what they thought they should do. But this is a task and work of the government. Therefore, it will not be appropriate for them to get involved in the process.”