Close on the heels of the publication of National Register of Citizen (NRC) in Assam, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma said the state government has no executive power to carry out similar exercise in the state.
Sangma, however, said all field units in the state have been instructed to maintain vigil following the publication of the final NRC list in Assam.
The chief minister also assured that the state government would put in place mechanisms to protect the interest of the people of the state.
A short duration discussion on the publication of final NRC list in Assam and its fallout was initiated in Assembly on Tuesday by Congress legislator from Nongpoh Mayralborn Syiem.
Conrad informed that he had spoken to his counterpart in Assam as there are the citizens of Meghalaya who married to people from Assam but their names have been excluded from the NRC list.
He said that the Assam government has assured to look into the issue so that genuine citizens from Meghalaya are not affected.
On NRC exercise in Meghalaya, Conrad said that the state has no power to bring NRC as the matter comes under the purview of the Centre.
The chief minister also raised concern as over 19 lakhs people were excluded from the final NRC list in Assam.
Stating that the state was alerted and check posts were activated after the publication of the draft NRC in Assam on July 30, 2018, Conrad informed that a deputy inspector general of police was appointed as the nodal officer for dealing with matters relating to the impact and likely fallout of the NRC updation, and infiltration that may arise into Meghalaya districts.
After the declaration of the final NRC in Assam on August 31, the chief minister said, all field units were alerted to maintain strict vigil for 24 hours, and instructed to conduct checking comprehensively by not allowing anyone coming from Assam without sufficient proof of documents.
“Check posts at key entry points bordering Assam have been posted with adequate man power, and additional check points were also set up in different districts being manned on a 24 hours basis.
“Till date, a total of 223 outsiders were detected, and sent back directly to their place of origin since they could not produce original valid documents. They were advised to bring valid documents as and when they visit the state,” the chief minister said.
Conrad said that the government was concerned with the issue, and urged all line departments, legislators and civil society to assist in this endeavor to tackle the situation.