Shillong, July 24: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Wednesday said it will continue with its anti-migrant labourers drive to regulate entry of migrant labourers in the state. However, it clarified that it is not against outsiders or investors coming into the state but it wants a monitoring or regulatory mechanism to track on who is coming in.
HYC President, Roy Kupar Synrem said, “This is not a question of us joining other groups or NGOs. One of our primary aims has always been to demand that the state implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP). If they are unable to implement ILP, then the MRSSA Amendment Bill of 2020 should be enacted. HYC’s efforts led to the new labour law in 2020, requiring every labourer, whether inter-state or intra-state, to register with the government.”
Taking on HYC’s recent actions he said in the Sohiong area, its members conducted a drive against labourers, resulting in four or five leaders being called by the police. Similarly, in Ri Bhoi District, HYC members inspected a factory running without a valid trading license from the KHADC, leading to the closure of the factory.
Responding to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s statement that no one has the authority to check labourers’ papers and that their actions are illegal, Synrem expressed frustration saying, “This is the responsibility of the concerned department. In the absence of their action, as citizens, we must take responsibility. We are not against outsiders coming to work or invest, but we are concerned about preserving our community’s demography and preventing political changes that could reduce us to a minority.”
Synrem also clarified HYC’s stance on development, stating, “We are not against development or labourers getting job opportunities in Meghalaya. However, there are laws requiring proper registration of labourers. These provisions must be implemented fully. Reports suggest labourers are leaving the state due to the current situation, but our request to contractors and companies is to ensure proper documentation and registration of labourers.”
When asked about the duration of HYC’s drive, Synrem said, “Our demand is for the immediate implementation of ILP or the MRSSA Amendment Bill of 2020. Until this is achieved, we will continue our efforts.”
