CM holds discussions with KSU leaders on NEIGRIHMS, MRSSA issues
Shillong, Oct 26: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has assured to continue engagements with the Khasi Students Union (KSU) to find solutions to the issues related to the latter’s demands.
On Monday, the Chief Minister held discussions with the KSU leadership on matters related to concerns over recruitment in NEIGRIHMS and facilitation centres proposed under MRSSA to check influx of outsiders.
“Met with the leaders of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) to discuss key issues highlighted by the Union,” Sangma informed about his meeting through X.
“Our discussions covered recruitment-related concerns at NEIGRIHMS, Facilitation Centres and procedures of the MRSSA, etc.,” he said.
“We will continue to engage in constructive dialogue to address these concerns and work towards solutions that protect the interests of our people,” he added.
Focus on NEIGRIHMS issue: KSU
Meanwhile, according to the KSU, which has been pursuing its five demands including NEIGRIHMS recruitment and entry-exit points (facilitation centres), said the government had assured to start Umling facilitation centre soon and to take up the demand for 80:20 female-to-male ratio in nurses’ recruitment in NEIGRIHMS with the Centre.
After their meeting with the Chief Minister, KSU general secretary Ruben Naijar said the Union had pressed five demands – scrapping of Shree Cement project in East Jaintia Hills, implementation of Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), reforms in North Eastern Regional Indira Gandhi Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), transparency in recruitment and strengthening of Migrant Workmen Act.
Stating NEIGRIHMS issue is the most urgent in view of a Governing Council meeting, he said, “We have seen that there is a Governing Council tomorrow which the Union Minister will be attending through VC. Various issues which we have been demanding regarding 80:20 ratio, recruitment through NORCET will be addressed.”
The KSU has sought state government representation in the Council and has written to Tura MP Saleng Sangma, who is a member, and to the Health department officials attending the meeting.
“NEIGRIHMS has assured us that they will place our issues before the Governing Council. We have seen the agenda list and all issues we mentioned are there,” Naijar said.
He said the chief minister assured to convene a meeting with the Union Ministry.
“This issue has been there since 2025. On May 1, we protested in NEIGRIHMS and on intervention of state government, we withdrew the agitation after assurance that they will initiate a meeting with Union Ministry. Since NEIGRIHMS is a central institute, these issues need to be addressed with the Centre. The chief minister said he will convene a meeting and put these issues before the Union Health Minister,” Naijar said.
On MRSSA, Naijar said despite the 2016 Act, there has been no significant change on ground while the influx grows.
“Every passing day we have seen an influx growing. Our members in different circles and districts have been nabbing people who have crossed the border from Bangladesh and different states. With the present situation in West Bengal, Assam and Bangladesh, Meghalaya has become a prime hub where unidentified people are creeping into our state as we don’t have proper mechanism to check them,” he said.
“Although there are Dorbar Shnongs, these people slip through because there are people facilitating them, giving them documents. MRSSA if implemented properly can curb this problem and also curb drugs problem. Drugs are not manufactured in Meghalaya, they come from different states and countries. If we have checkpoints in each district, drug trafficking can be curbed,” he said.
He said Ri-Bhoi district administration will give a presentation with the DPR for Umling centre and an inspection will be held soon.
“District Task Force has already been formed but till date there has been no committee meeting, no data collected. We want MRSSA to be implemented to the fullest. Chief minister assured they are taking one step at a time, first Umling then other districts like Thlabari, Ratacherra and Garo Hills,” Naijar said.
On migrant workers law, he said, “People who are coming and increasing influx are coming as migrant labourers, no documentation. Present Act is very weak, so most criminals who have cases in other states take shelter here. That is why we wanted more comprehensive, stronger Act. Since 2024, we have been fighting, it has been amended, we are just waiting for official notification.”
On recruitment, Naijar welcomed abolition of personal interview for Grade C posts from January 1, 2027 and flagged allegations of corruption in recruitment of contractual nurses.
He said KSU has submitted reform recommendations for MPSC and DSC.
On Shree Cement, he said the status quo is maintained and a fact-finding committee has been instituted, but the KSU pressed for on ground inspection of the committee to see “how people are losing lands to big corporates”.
“It is on track, in the coming days we will see a fruitful outcome,” Naijar said.
However, he added, “Whenever we meet the government, assurances are given but it takes a lot of time. We will wait and see matters become fruitful and if not, we will take a different course of action.”
