Shillong, July 10: Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira on Friday defended the government’s plan to set up a facilitation and tourist registration centre at Umling, saying the proposed system would be “almost like ILP” and help monitor people entering Meghalaya.
The Minister said the facility would function as both a registration centre and a tourist amenity hub, with office space for checking documents and restaurants for visitors waiting to complete the process.
“Our plan is to make it a facilitation centre plus registration of tourists. In our plan we have provided two rooms for doing office work, like registering the tourists. At the time of registration some time will be taken, so during that time whatever they have to spend waiting for registration they can enjoy at the same time. So, we are providing facilities like restaurants. That is all,” he said.
Shira said the registration process was necessary to verify the identity, documents and purpose of people entering the state as tourists.
“Yes, it will be a tourist registration centre. Because you see, in the name of tourists, many people are coming to do something. So, in order to check their intention, whether they are coming as tourists with the right intention or coming in disguise of tourists to do some harm, that is necessary for us. We have to examine their papers to check whether they are actually genuine citizens of India or from other countries and whether they have proper documents or not,” Shira stated.
Drawing a comparison with entry regulations in Nagaland, he said, “You see, it is almost like ILP. When we go to Nagaland, everybody has to go through the ILP system.”
The Minister said a similar facility had been constructed at Berubari in Garo Hills, where registration officers would check tourists’ documents while restaurants and other amenities would be provided.
The statement came amid opposition from the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) to the proposed food court at the Umling entry point.
“I will not make a comment because if I make a comment it will develop into controversy, so I don’t want to make any comment,” Shira said when asked about the KSU’s objection.
Rejecting allegations that the government lacked an effective mechanism to tackle illegal influx, Shira said the state already had infiltration check gates and the proposed registration system would further strengthen monitoring.
“Who says the government does not have a proper mechanism to check illegal influx? Now there is an infiltration check. What more check is required? Now we have an infiltration check gate plus this registration. So, what more?” he asked.
Shira said discussions with the KSU had been held at the official level and that the Deputy Commissioner had requested its members not to disrupt the work.
“In fact, at the officers’ level, there was a talk. The Deputy Commissioner had called the KSU members and requested them not to disturb the work. But what their decision is, I don’t know,” he said.
He added that the matter concerning the Umling entry point was also before the court and that the state government had submitted its response.
