CM holds high level meet to discuss potential spillover of illegal migrants from Assam
Shillong, July 24: Alarmed by intensive eviction drives against illegal settlers in neighbouring Assam, district and police authorities especially in border regions where such drives were conducted have been put on high alert to prevent any influx into Meghalaya.
The directive was issued by chief minister Conrad K Sangma after chairing a high-level meeting to discuss the eviction drives conducted across Assam.
Areas where thousands of alleged illegal settlers evicted by Assam government also includes Paikan close to Garo Hills, giving rise to the apprehension of influx of evicted people into Meghalaya.
Necessary instructions have been issued to be on alert in inter-state border areas especially the ones where the eviction drive is taking place, Sangma said after the high-level review meeting on Thursday.
He said deputy commissioners have been instructed to maintain close surveillance in border areas, especially those adjacent to Assam, to prevent potential infiltration.
District authorities, police, village defence parties (VDPs), and traditional heads are being coordinated with to ensure timely information sharing and action.
“…all these communication and overall interaction are being done to ensure that there is no infiltration (into Meghalaya) because of the eviction taking place in Assam,” Sangma said.
The chief minister also confirmed that no incidents of infiltration have taken place in any district so far, and all stakeholders are working together to prevent any potential issues.
Referring to certain vulnerable districts closer to areas where eviction drives are conducted in Assam, the chief minister said special attention is being given to those districts.
